Good news: 23 Freeway expansion project is ahead of schedule

Once in a while, an editorial can talk about something positive. This is one of those occasions.

Motorists in Moorpark, Conejo Valley, Simi Valley and other areas have been coping with a construction project to widen the 23 Freeway. Although it seems like an eternity since the project began, the groundbreaking ceremony was held in May 2006 and work started that summer. It's now more than a year and a half later.

The good news is that the project is ahead of schedule. (See story on page 8.) We don't want to sound cynical, but whenever a government project is beating its expected completion date, that's news- really good news.

We're not sure who gets the credit, but Caltrans and construction companies come to mind. Maybe some government folks who've been monitoring the project also deserve our praise.

The proof, of course, will be in the pudding. If progress continues at its present rate- and there are no guarantees- the ribbon may be cut this fall, a full six months ahead of the expected completion date, which is next spring.

Not to be overlooked is a big concern that drivers will hit a bottleneck at the 101 Freeway because the 23 Freeway project didn't include improvements on the 23/101 freeway interchange. Officials are scrambling to find funding for expansion and redesign of the interchange, but a tightening of state and federal budgets is more likely than sudden discoveries of extra dollars just waiting to be spent. In other words, we won't be holding our breath by expecting too much too soon.

Oh yes, before we forget, there will also be a beautification project along the 23 Freeway between Olsen and Janss roads. It will include more than 350 trees and ivy for the sound walls.

Even if we haven't seen it, we already like it.