Picture a Bit Brighter on 14

Plans to improve some of the treacherous portions of Highway 14, dubbed by Supervisor Warren Dorns “the road to death”, seemed to be approaching a more optimistic stage after a meeting of State, County and Southern Pacific officials Monday.

The dangerous highway, whose name has become synonomous with “tragedy” and “death”, has long been the subject of intensive drives by numerous community organizations for improvement of existing conditions.

Despite the budgeting of funds and promises from County and State officials for immediate action, The Signal reported last week that the promised improvements seemed to be “at least a year away from inception.”

At the prompting of Supervisor Dorn, a special meeting was called last Monday afternoon in an attempt to solidify cooperation between the County and State on the highway project And apparently, several concrete proposals emerged from the meeting.

“We had a very fine meeting and we are all in agreement,” reported the Supervisor’s administrative assistant Robert Meyer.

“The first phase of the project, which will run from Solemint Junction to the south for almost two miles, will be advertised for bids in early Spring of next year,” Meyer stated. “Construction should start shortly after that.”

“The second phase of the project, Phase II, will be given immediate attention,” Meyer continued. “We should have specific plans on that project very soon.”

Meyer pointed out that the first phase of the project, from Solemmt-Junction to the top of “Confusion Hill”, requires a four lane divided highway to be constructed on a 100 foot right-of-way. Two bridges spanning the Santa Clara River bed and the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks will have to be widened.

The cost of Phase I will approximate $1 million, and will be paid on a 50-50 basis out of County and State funds. The County will absorb the complete costs of land aquisition.

The Signal talked to Heinz Heckeroth, executive assistant to Division of Highways District Engineer E. T. Telford. He confirmed the fact that the meeting had apparently produced some concrete proposals for the Highway 14 improvements.

“Phase I should be entirely completed by early 1968 with construction underway before next summer,” he stated.

SOME DOUBT

There was some doubt in Heckeroth’s mind, however, with the possibility of starting on the second phase of improvement immediately.

“This portion which extends from the four-lane intersection of Highway 14 and San Fernando Road to the hill above Placerita Canyon, is involved with the construction of the Antelope Valley Freeway,” he reported.

“The State Finance Department has indicated that there might be revisions in our-1967-68 budget. If this Is the case, we might have to delay freeway construction in that area for a year, and this could mean a delay in Highway 14 improvements for a comparable period of time.”

Heckeroth stated that his department would know “in about a month” whether Phase II of the improvement project would be affected.

“Even if we assume the worst possibilities,” Heckeroth concluded, “we still plan to have Highway 14 improved by mid-1969, a full two years ahead of the new freeway. If the budget is not affected, we can complete the project in mid-1968.”

Thus residents of Valencia Valley can accept the latest highway announcements with mixed emotions. They can applaud the fact that specific schedules have been adopted which will infprove portions of the highway during the next year.

But they must still face the fact that a large and treacherous three-lane section may continue to threaten the safety of motorists until mid-1969.