L.A. Avenue to receive $2-million overhaul

A heavily traveled stretch of Los Angeles Avenue is set for a roughly $2-million rehabilitation, one of the most visible pieces of Simi Valley's annual street repair program. The Simi Valley City Council voted Aug. 24 to award a nearly $2 million construction contract to Toro Enterprises Inc. of Oxnard for the project, part of the city's 2026-27 Annual Major Streets Rehabilitation Program, the Simi Valley Acorn reported.

The work will rehab about a mile of Los Angeles Avenue between First Street and Erringer Road — one of the city's busiest east-west corridors, lined with businesses, bus stops and commuter traffic connecting to the 118 Freeway. For residents and commuters who use the corridor daily, the project promises smoother pavement and improved sidewalks, along with some overnight lane closures beginning soon.

What the project includes

The rehabilitation covers more than a fresh layer of asphalt. According to the Acorn's report, the scope includes rebuilding deteriorated concrete, sidewalks, curbs and driveway approaches, repairing a bus turnout, upgrading curb ramps, and laying a new asphalt overlay across the roughly one-mile segment.

Interim Public Works Director Jay Spurgin told the council the roadway has deteriorated and needs rehabilitation. The scale of Simi Valley's street network helps explain why segments are rehabbed on rotation: the city maintains about 346 miles of streets with a replacement value approaching $900 million, and typically rehabilitates around 10 miles each year.

The contract allows 40 days for construction, with completion anticipated in late October. Most of the work is expected to happen overnight — between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. — to minimize disruption to daytime traffic and the businesses that line the corridor.

The city received five bids, and Toro Enterprises submitted the lowest at $1.97 million — about $535,000 below the city's own estimate. City staff determined the bid was responsive and responsible and that the contractor had the qualifications and experience for the job. Construction materials testing and inspection services are expected to cost an additional $50,000. Funding comes from the city's General, Sanitation and Waterworks funds, with money already included in the 2026-27 Streets and Road budget.

Crosswalk change at Hubbard Street

One element of the project will change how pedestrians cross Los Angeles Avenue at Hubbard Street. To maintain compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the westernmost crosswalk at that intersection will be removed. Spurgin explained that an ADA-compliant ramp cannot be constructed on the north side of Los Angeles Avenue at the west side of the intersection, and because the crosswalk would not have a compliant ramp to receive pedestrians, removing it was determined to be the safest option. Permanent signs restricting pedestrian crossings will be installed on the traffic signal poles.

The easternmost crosswalk, less than 75 feet away, will remain in place, so pedestrian access across the avenue at that intersection will continue — just shifted slightly east.

Councilmember pushes for safer bike lanes

The project drew praise from Councilmember Elaine Litster, who used the discussion to urge the city to look at bicycle facilities along the corridor. Los Angeles Avenue is a major bicycle route, she noted, but in portions of this stretch cyclists lack bike lanes separated from vehicle traffic.

"I know it's a major thoroughfare and we've had bikers not felt as safe in that section because there are not separate designated bike lanes just in that major section," Litster said, according to the Acorn. She asked whether the project could examine the current bike-lane configuration rather than simply restriping the street as it exists today.

City Manager Samantha Argabrite said staff would review the city's Bicycle Master Plan to see whether it addresses the corridor — leaving the door open to future changes beyond this repaving project, though no commitments were made.

New equipment for pothole season

Along with the overlay contract, the council approved another investment in the city's road network: a nearly $325,000 asphalt patch truck. The purchase comes as the city's existing asphalt equipment is no longer operational.

The need is substantial. City asphalt crews filled about 6,300 potholes last year and have completed roughly 3,570 repairs so far this year, the Acorn reported. The new truck will allow crews to work more efficiently, with heated asphalt storage and built-in delivery and compaction equipment that reduces setup time and trips back to suppliers.

Mayor Dee Dee Cavanaugh noted that road conditions and pavement quality are frequent concerns among constituents and said she was pleased the council approved both investments.

What residents can expect

For drivers, the most immediate impact of the Los Angeles Avenue project will be overnight construction activity between First Street and Erringer Road through late October. Overnight scheduling is designed to keep daytime lanes open for commuters and customers of corridor businesses, though residents near the work zone may notice nighttime noise and lighting during active construction.

The project also reflects the city's ongoing effort to keep pace with an aging street network: with only about 10 miles rehabilitated each year out of 346 maintained miles, corridors are prioritized as their condition deteriorates. Los Angeles Avenue — a major thoroughfare carrying both local and regional traffic — had clearly reached the top of the list.

Longer term, cyclists will be watching to see whether the city's review of its Bicycle Master Plan produces any changes to how Los Angeles Avenue is striped. For now, the corridor will be repaved largely as-is, with the crosswalk change at Hubbard Street the only significant alteration to how people move through the area.