Ventura County only Bilingual Newspaper
June 19th 2025
By Editorial Team
Supervisor Kelly Long’s Office and the Ventura County Public Works Agency (CPWA), in collaboration with community partners and local leaders, celebrated the completion of the El Rio Pedestrian Improvements Project with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, June 2, 2025, at the First Baptist Church of El Rio.
The event brought together members of the Rio School District, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP), Nyeland Promise Advisory Board, Gold Coast Transit District, construction teams, residents, and other key stakeholders who contributed to the project’s success.
The celebration featured performances from children of the Mariachi Academy and folklórico dancers from the Rio School District, showcasing the vibrant spirit of the El Rio community.
The pedestrian improvements – which began in July 2024 – closed long-standing sidewalk gaps along Strobe Street, Walnut Drive, and a portion of Cortez Street, creating a safe and accessible pathway for residents to walk to schools, businesses, churches, and restaurants.
In addition to enhancing pedestrian safety, the project also tackles stormwater management especially important during those heavy winter rains. Large pipes beneath the road and new storm drain inlets along the gutters work together to collect and divert stormwater away from homes and the neighborhood, reducing flood risks.
Moreover, specially designed curb openings direct some stormwater into stone trenches, where it is naturally filtered and allowed to seep into the ground. This not only cleans the water, providing a crucial environmental benefit, but also helps replenish valuable groundwater supplies for the community.
“I know I speak for our entire county family when I say we are excited to celebrate the opening of these new sidewalks in the heart of the El Rio community. It is more than just concrete and pavement, these pathways represent a safer way for our children to get to school and create spaces where neighbors can meet, share a smile, and build a stronger, more united community,” said Ventura County Supervisor Kelly Long.
Gregg Strakaluse, Director of the Ventura County Public Works Agency, added, “The design of this project requires more attention from a driver. And when a road demands more attention, a driver tends to drive slower. Lanes are a bit narrower, curbs extend out at some intersections, bright pavement markings provide warnings of speed humps and crosswalks, and flashing beacons enhance visibility. Now, walking on an elevated sidewalk, on the other side of parked vehicles, well, that just feels safer.”
The El Rio Pedestrian Improvements Project was made possible through funding from the Active Transportation Program (ATP State Grant, the Assigned Bike Lane Projects Fund approved by the County Board of Supervisors, and the County Road Fund. The overall project costs, which includes design and construction, totals $13.2 million and would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of these agencies. The completion of the El Rio Pedestrian Improvements Project highlights Ventura County’s ongoing commitment to creating safer, more connected, and vibrant communities for residents.
El Rio Celebrates Pedestrian Improvements Project – Vida Newspaper
