Navigating Local Road Construction: A Growing Concern
In May 2025, Ventura County and nearby communities including Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and Calabasas are experiencing a major uptick in Caltrans-led construction projects. While these infrastructure upgrades aim to improve traffic flow and safety long-term, they are also creating hazardous conditions for drivers right now.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident near a construction zone, it’s not just frustrating—it may also involve complex liability. These crashes often result in personal injury claims involving multiple parties, including Caltrans, third-party contractors, and other negligent drivers.
Why Construction Zones Are High-Risk Areas
Work zones are high-risk environments due to:
- Sudden lane closures or confusing detours
- Narrow or unmarked shoulders
- Poor visibility due to dust, cones, or equipment
- Debris or construction materials in active lanes
- Speeding or distracted drivers ignoring reduced speed zones
Even cautious drivers can find themselves in rear-end collisions, sideswipes, or worse due to these unexpected hazards. In areas like the 101 Freeway corridor or SR-23 Interchange, the risks are magnified by heavy traffic and limited alternate routes.
Key Caltrans Projects Impacting Local Drivers
1. Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing – Agoura Hills
Caltrans has closed the Liberty Canyon Road on-ramp to northbound Highway 101 as part of the $87 million wildlife crossing project. The closure is expected to continue through May 2025, causing long delays and rerouting. Sudden traffic changes in this area have already contributed to multiple near-miss incidents.
Source: Caltrans District 7
2. Ventura Overhead Bridge Replacement Project
A major bridge replacement project near Ventura’s State Beaches has shut down ramps and rerouted traffic since early spring. This $68 million effort aims to improve seismic safety but has introduced detours unfamiliar to out-of-town drivers, increasing the likelihood of wrong-way crashes and abrupt stops.
Source: Caltrans District 7 Projects
3. US-101/SR-23 Interchange Improvements – Thousand Oaks
This vital interchange improvement has created bottlenecks and driver confusion near Moorpark Road and Hampshire Road. Long merge zones, narrowed shoulders, and frequent stops are a recipe for accidents—especially for motorcyclists and those in low-clearance vehicles.
Source: TRC Companies Project Page
4. Ventura Avenue Pedestrian and Bike Lane Improvements
Although focused on non-motorized traffic, this spring 2025 project disrupts local driving patterns and shoulder access on Ventura Avenue.
Source: Ventura County Public Works
5. Oxnard and Plains Area Pavement Resurfacing
Freshly milled roads, uneven grading, and lack of striping are all risk factors in this resurfacing project underway near Oxnard.
Source: Ventura County Public Works
What to Do After a Construction Zone Crash
If you’ve been injured in a crash near a Caltrans project in Ventura County, take these steps immediately:
- Call 911 and file a police report
- Photograph the scene — signage, barriers, road condition, and damage
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
- Avoid giving statements to insurance until you speak with a personal injury lawyer
- Preserve witness information, especially from nearby workers or bystanders
Who’s Liable in a Work Zone Accident?
Unlike standard auto accidents, construction zone crashes may involve multiple liable parties, including:
- Caltrans, if signage or detour setup is inadequate
- Private contractors, if debris or unsafe equipment caused the hazard
- Third-party traffic control companies, hired to manage temporary flow
- Other negligent drivers, especially those speeding or texting
- Design engineers, if the temporary road design was inherently unsafe
Navigating this web of responsibility requires a legal team with experience handling multi-party liability, government immunity defenses, and injury claims involving state projects.
Areas We Serve: Local Advocacy You Can Trust
Our law office represents accident victims across:
- Agoura Hills
- Thousand Oaks
- Calabasas
- Westlake Village
- Ventura
- Moorpark
- Camarillo
- Oxnard
- Simi Valley
- Newbury Park
Whether you suffered whiplash, back injuries, broken bones, or a catastrophic injury in a construction zone, we’re ready to help.
Call Now for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love was hurt in a road work-related crash—don’t wait. These cases can be complex, and early investigation is key to preserving evidence and maximizing compensation.
Call us today or contact us for a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, review your case, and explain your legal options without obligation.