Transit Panel OKs Lewis Road Widening

Anticipating a new university on the site of Camarillo State Hospital, the Ventura County Transportation Commission on Friday approved a $4-million plan to widen and improve nearby Lewis Road.

But the federal funds would be rescinded and diverted to other projects if plans for the California State University campus fall through, commission members agreed.

If the money is rescinded, the commission will open a competition for communities to submit project proposals to use the money.

The vote came as the commission approved spending $48.4 million in federal money for more than 70 transportation projects in communities throughout the county.

Those plans include:

* Widening Pleasant Valley Road in Oxnard.

* Improving the interchange between the Ventura Freeway and Borchard Road in Thousand Oaks.

* Widening the intersection of California 126 and California 23 in Fillmore.

* Improving the 5 Points intersection in Oxnard.

The commission also approved the 1997-98 budget for the Metrolink rail system. Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the $2.6-million budget--down almost $16,000 from last year--and to include $48,000 to expand rail service to the Camarillo and Oxnard stations beginning later this year.