To be stuck in traffic as the clock ticks down towards first period is every student’s nightmare. Lately, however, it has become the norm for many students commuting to Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech), particularly along Telegraph Road and between Ashwood Avenue and Hill Road, due to a street resurfacing project.
The Telegraph Road Resurfacing Project will be performing construction on around 690,000 square feet of road. Through this project, the City of Ventura hopes to improve safety and accessibility on the roads through various methods, including reinforcing aging pavements and reducing future maintenance needs.
Jason Dane, the construction manager for the project, stated, “The project will enhance safety and improve the overall experience for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers using this key arterial street. During construction, the community should expect some temporary delays and noise impacts.”
The project is scheduled to take place from late July 2025 through January 2026 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, excluding holidays. There will also be potential night work from 9 p.m. through 6 a.m. in busy areas such as schools. However, this has not stopped the traffic from piling up near Foothill Tech.
Recently, the time it takes for many Dragons to get to school has skyrocketed. Wade Zhang ‘27 said, “There isn’t any congestion before 8:10 a.m., but after ten past, it gets congested.” Not only has Telegraph Road been seeing congestion around the start of each school day as students from neighboring schools, such as Buena High School (Buena) and Balboa Middle School (Balboa), start school around the same time as Foothill Tech, but other neighboring roads are suffering from the construction project as well.
Auden McCoy ‘27, who bikes to school daily, said, “There’s a lot of traffic that moves to Loma Vista [Road], so there’s been a lot more cars.” In addition, Miguel Hernandez ‘28 mentioned, “Oh, [traffic’s] horrible … Foothill Road gets congested a lot.”
Some students expressed their frustration with the increased traffic. Hernandez said, “The traffic goes back like two lights … along the Foothill roads from Harmon Canyon … [all the way] to the next intersection.”
The situation also forces student drivers to face a new obstacle: learning to navigate such a chaotic setting. Nate Frazier ‘27 explained, “[I’m] definitely a lot more nervous. Because I mean, I’m a pretty new driver, too. So driving in a construction zone is kind of stressful for all new drivers.”
On the other hand, some took a more passive stance on the construction and did not feel as affected. Nick Turner ‘26 conveyed that, “I’m not coming late to school. [I get] here at the same time. [The circumstances are] just different.”
Ira Blundell ‘29 mentioned a similar experience, saying, “It’s been chill … [Traffic] doesn’t really affect me. I just take a different way.”
Teachers also spoke about the effects of the Telegraph Road Resurfacing Project, which has been apparent in the attendance records of Dragons. Frazier observed, “I notice a lot of students are late lately because there’s construction — like cones and stuff.”
Hernandez said, “It’s kind of bad, because I [have to wait] in the car … If you’re running late to school, it’s like, ‘Oh, game over,’ you’re getting marked tardy.” He added, “I don’t know if I’m gonna make it to class sometimes.”
As the school year continues, students will continue to face these challenges. Dane said, “During milling and paving, one lane will be closed at a time rather than a full closure. Paving is anticipated to begin in early winter.” However, through perseverance and flexibility, Dragons will learn to navigate through these obstacles on the road.
