One of the things I like best about living in Simi Valley is how well-maintained the majority of the city is. Every time I come over the pass into Simi Valley on the 118 west and drive past the new “Welcome to Simi Valley” sign, I feel proud to live here.

But since the opening of the eastbound expansion of the 118 Freeway, construction has seemed to stop. Is the project finished, or is there still work to be done on the westbound lanes?

The westbound lanes have become a complete eyesore. There are hundreds and hundreds of temporary barriers stacked along the freeway from Kuehner Drive to Tapo Canyon Road.

Along with the barriers are yellow barrels, construction trash, leftover materials and 4- to 5-foot weeds since it’s been neglected for so long. Is this the first thing we want people to see as they drive into our city?

If they’re finished, then get it cleaned up; if not, Simi Valley should be charging rent to the construction company for the storage of their equipment. Either way, it should be brought up to the standards of the rest of our city. We don’t want to become that rundown city claimed to be Simi Valley in the movie “Joe Dirt,” do we?
John Russo
Simi Valley
Editor’s note: See related story on page 10.