Sylvie Belmond 
Installation Begins on 118/23 Freeway Bridge
(CLAIR | Ventura County, CA) — For more than a decade, the Arroyo Simi Overhead Bridge — the high, exposed connector where the 118 and 23 freeways meet in Moorpark— has been known not just for its sweeping views, but for the lives lost there.
More than 20 people have died or attempted suicide from the bridge since 1994, according to Caltrans. Most of those tragedies have occurred in the last 15 years.
Next week, that story begins to change.
On the night of Monday, October 27, Caltrans will begin installing a permanent safety barrier system along the bridge. The first closure — westbound State Route 118 between Princeton Avenue and New Los Angeles Avenue — will run from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., reopening early Tuesday morning. Two on-ramps will also close: the New Los Angeles Avenue on-ramp to eastbound 118 and the Princeton Avenue on-ramp to westbound 118.
The project will add more than 6,400 feet of fencing to both sides of the half-mile bridge — a bold, physical line drawn in defense of life.
“This has been years in the making,” said Ventura County Supervisor Janice Parvin. “After years of studies, design, and planning, the installation of a permanent safety barrier is now moving forward to help protect lives and enhance safety for all who travel through our community. We are deeply grateful to the community members, advocates, and partner agencies who worked tirelessly to bring this project to life. Together, we are making a difference.”
The push for a long-term solution began in earnest in 2017, when the Ventura County Transportation Commission took up the issue following repeated community calls for action. Temporary, bilingual suicide-prevention signs were added in 2018. But residents and local leaders continued pressing for a permanent fix.
The Arroyo Simi Overhead Bridge was built in 1993 to improve traffic flow between Moorpark, Simi Valley, and the 101 corridor. It remains a critical route for commuters and freight across Ventura County. But over time, the structure became more than just a road. For some, it became a final destination — isolated, high, and unprotected.
This barrier project is a response to that — a signal that safety infrastructure includes not just guardrails and pavement, but compassion.
Detours for Oct. 27–28 closure:
Eastbound SR-118
- Exit at New Los Angeles Avenue
- Head west on New Los Angeles
- Turn north on Spring Road
- Turn east on Princeton Avenue
- Re-enter eastbound 118 at the Princeton Avenue on-ramp
Westbound SR-118
- Exit at Princeton Avenue
- Travel south and west on Princeton
- Turn south on Spring Road
- Turn east on New Los Angeles Avenue
- Reconnect to southbound Route 23
Construction is expected to last through February 2026, with overnight work continuing periodically. The project is scheduled for 95 working days, weather permitting.
Separate from the safety barrier project, Los Angeles Avenue continues to be a source of concern for the City of Moorpark. As part of State Route 118, it serves as a freight corridor — and a frequent detour when freeway traffic backs up.
According to regional transportation studies, about 16 percent of vehicles using SR-118 are trucks. That heavy volume often spills onto surface streets, particularly Los Angeles Avenue, where commercial trucks use the route to reach the 101 via Camarillo or Ventura.
Moorpark officials have pushed for regional help in rerouting freight traffic, but because Los Angeles Avenue is part of the state highway system, the city cannot restrict trucks on its own. As of 2021, those efforts remained under discussion, according to the City of Moorpark.
In the meantime, Moorpark contracts with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office to help reduce safety risks through targeted enforcement. A 10-day operation in 2019 stopped 48 commercial vehicles, issued 42 citations, and towed 11 tractor-trailers, according to a VCSO report. The city continues to fund year-round truck enforcement patrols.
For updates and future closure announcements, visit:
https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-7/district-7-projects/d7-sr118-fence-project
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24/7.
