Reyes Adobe/101 Interchange Project Officially Completed

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony signifying the completion of the Reyes Adobe/101 Interchange project took place Saturday morning along the northbound lane. At the presentation, Mayor Harry Schwarz praised the entire team of staff and workers who were involved with the almost decade-long effort, from the planning stages through to completion.

“This is a momentous time in the history of Agoura Hills,” Schwarz announced from the podium. “This will now be a well-known monument along the 101.”

Included among the officials present at the ceremony were Matt Cameron, from Rep. Henry Waxman’s office; Adolfo Bailon, from Sen. Barbara Boxer’s office; James Bozajian, Mayor of Calabasas; Barry Steinhardt, Division Director for the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD); and Donald Zimring, superintendent for the Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD).

During the ceremony, presentations and proclamations were given from Waxman’s office, the City of Calabasas and LVMWD.

In addition to state and city officials, several local businesses were represented, including David Delrahim, owner of Lavaggio, which hosted a post-ceremony reception.

Delrahim told Patch that though his business was adversely affected during the 18-month construction period, he appreciated the continued support of the city and is pleased with the outcome.

“I think it is beautiful; it is a landmark, and I am very happy with the end result,” he said. “The City of Agoura Hills has been nothing but supportive and I appreciate everything they did during that difficult process.”

Following the ribbon-cutting, the Mayor and several other city officials participated in a classic car processional over to Lavaggio for the wine and cheese reception.

According to Ramiro Adeva, city manager who oversaw the renovation, the project began in October of 2009, and despite the high expense of the roughly $8.4 million, minimal tax payer money was used. That’s due partly to low construction costs at the time of bidding, but mainly to “a combination of Federal and County Grant Funds, along with traffic improvement and redevelopment funds,” he said during the reception. 

According to Adeva, the renovation included a widening of the bridge to six lanes, two left turn pockets, improved approach slabs, a new sidewalk and bike lanes,  decorative fencing and lampposts and “beautiful landscaping.”

In response to several Patch readers’ concerns about road and signage confusion, Schwarz said, “I make that daily commute myself, so I understand how it could be confusing at first. As in all new things, give it time and get used to driving it. You will see how much better and safer this new roadway is.”