Fillmore residents press council for safety measures on Highway 126 after recent fatal collisions; council to convene agencies

Fillmore residents told the City Council Aug. 12 that Highway 126 needs immediate safety upgrades after a series of recent fatal collisions, and the council directed staff to convene regional partners to identify short‑ and long‑term measures.

Public commenters described personal loss and community concern. Sally Ybarra said she organized a community poll that drew 400 responses; “81%, 325 votes said yes to installing safety measures on Highway 126,” she told the council, urging a town‑hall meeting that includes Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol and state legislators. Resident Joey Juhas Lomkowski asked the city to press Caltrans and CHP to prioritize safety along the corridor and to welcome community input on any engineers’ proposals.

Council reaction and initial staff steps: City Manager Manuel (staff) told the council he was arranging an interagency convening with the Ventura County Transportation Commission, Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol and state legislative staff to collect data and review potential safety projects. He said earlier Caltrans proposals had been revised or rejected in the past and that a modernized, community‑informed approach will be needed. Council members asked that staff provide regular updates; one council member requested the safety item appear in the manager’s report each meeting so the public sees progress.

Why it matters: Highway 126 is a multi‑lane arterial that runs through Fillmore and connects to other regional corridors. Residents and council members said repeated serious collisions have created urgency for safety engineering, better enforcement, and community engagement. Requested measures discussed during the public session included traffic studies, targeted short‑term safety changes near high‑incident stretches, and a town‑hall process where Caltrans would present proposals to the public.

Next steps and community role: The city manager said staff will collect collision and traffic‑volume data, contact the Ventura County Transportation Commission and other agencies to convene a technical meeting, and pursue a public town‑hall meeting option so residents can review proposed engineering options. Council members encouraged staff to seek community input prior to any Caltrans design approvals and to provide ongoing updates at council meetings.

Ending: The council did not adopt a specific engineering plan at the Aug. 12 meeting; instead it authorized staff to lead a regional coordination effort and report back as options are developed.