The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will accept written comments from the public until March 4 concerning a proposed safety enhancement project on State Route 126 in Ventura County.

Caltrans is formally initiating studies for the project to enhance safety along the highway corridor and reduce the potential for conflicting traffic movements.

The project is located on Highway 126 between Hallock Drive in the city of Santa Paula and E Street in the city of Fillmore. Highway 126 provides an east-west connection between US Highway 101 in Ventura County and Interstate 5 in Los Angeles County. The project length is approximately 7 miles.

Caltrans is considering options that include a concrete median barrier or a raised median island with visual markers. Possible features include roundabouts, wider road curves, an acceleration/deceleration lane at railroad crossings, retaining walls and improved highway access including driveways at various locations.

Caltrans is soliciting written comments from public agencies, private entities and interested individuals regarding any potential social, economic, community, traffic, safety and environmental issues related to this project.

Information about the project and the environmental process is available online at http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/travel/projects/126/

Caltrans held two public scoping meetings on the proposed project and the environmental process on Jan. 27 in Fillmore and Feb. 3 in Santa Paula. Both meetings were attended by members of the public, elected officials and agency representatives.

Caltrans is interested in hearing the point of view of all parties interested in the project, to ensure that all relevant factors are considered.

Comments, suggestions and inquiries can be submitted (postmarked by March 4) to Tami Podesta, Branch Chief; California Department of Transportation; Division of Environmental Planning (SR-126 Safety Enhancement Project); 100 South Main St., Suite 100, MS 16A; Los Angeles CA 90012.