Funding Recommended for Freeway Interchange Project

State officials have recommended spending $13.1 million for improvements at the interchange of the San Diego and Ventura freeways, said David Fleming, a Studio City attorney who sits on the California Transportation Commission.

Fleming said the move virtually assures that relief is ahead for frustrated motorists idled by the chronic problems at one of the state’s busiest interchanges.

“Believe me, it’ll happen,” Fleming said Thursday. “Both the political pressure and the public pressure are overwhelming. This has been one of the worst bottlenecks for years and it just gets worse.”

Regional officials with the state Department of Transportation have agreed to recommend to top state transportation executives that the project should be given priority funding. The next step is action by the commission, which Fleming said could occur in January.

Caltrans spokeswoman Margie Tiritilli declined to comment. She said the list of recommended projects would not be released until it is sent to Sacramento today.

The proposal would widen the connector between the northbound San Diego Freeway and the southbound Ventura Freeway and add an auxiliary lane to the San Diego.

One supporter, Assemblyman Wally Knox (D-Los Angeles), said: “I’m very optimistic that it will not only be on the list, but will be strongly recommended.”

Others said Thursday that they had been told by Caltrans officials that the interchange made the cut.

“They basically told me they were certain it would be on the list,” said Paul Hefner, a spokesman for Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks), who has pushed for improvements at the interchange.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has already included the 405 / 101 upgrade on its priority list. The MTA is also exploring ways it could offer matching funds for the projects it supports.