Roads More Traveled

Representatives of Union Pacific Railroad were decidedly blunt during last week’s meeting with the City of Santa Barbara’s subcommittee on commuter rail feasibility, explaining that investing in such a line would cause their more lucrative freight business to suffer. Councilmembers said the 17,000 people commuting from Ventura to Santa Barbara daily would benefit from such a service, as imminent freeway construction would worsen gridlock. UP officials agreed to consider rescheduling existing train services to better accommodate commuter schedules.

Supervisor Joni Gray is trying to keep open a road that runs from Vandenberg Air Force Base to the beach at Point Sal. Base officials, citing the danger of landslides, announced on 4/11 that they had permanently closed the road with barricades, reinforced fences, and “no trespassing” signs. A beloved North County beach destination, Point Sal was, by tradition, closed only during missile launches.