$52.8 Million for Highway 101 High Occupancy Vehicle Project Construction in Montecito

By the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG)

The California Transportation Commission allocated $52.8 million in state funding to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Santa Barbara County Association of Governments to advance construction of the Highway 101: Montecito project.

The investment supports advance construction on the highway in Montecito between San Ysidro Road and Olive Mill Road as part of the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project.

“This important project will increase reliability for all travelers, allow for the efficient movement of goods and services within this important inter-regional corridor, and improve access to communities within Santa Barbara County,” said Caltrans District 5 Director Scott Eades.

A significant portion of the state funding comes from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 leveraged by Measure A – the local transportation sales tax – along with $7 million from Community Project Funding delivered by Congressman Salud Carbajal.

“As a veteran of local government, I know all too well the interlocking and cooperative relationship that federal, state, and other funding sources can have when it comes to meeting a critical need – especially for landmark projects like the 101,” said Congressman Carbajal. “I’m proud to see that the funding that I secured in last year’s federal budget–along with funding from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law–has paved the way for additional funding from the state help make this phase of 101 improvements a reality. This funding will help lower congestion, emissions, and stress for our commuters up and down the Central Coast.”

Freeway construction in Montecito begins next week in conjunction with the San Ysidro Roundabout.

“New peak-period carpool lanes in both directions along with new on- and off-ramps and auxiliary lanes, will provide much-needed relief to central coast residents and visitors alike,” said Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne, chair of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors. “We thank the state for recognizing the importance of advancing this project and look forward to its completion.”

To enable construction efficiencies for both the freeway and roundabout projects, the San Ysidro Overcrossing will be closed until school starts at the end of August. Work will focus on roundabout construction, new safety railings on the bridge, on- and off-ramp improvements. The bridge closure is being carefully timed to when school is out as less traffic is in the area. Pedestrians will continue to have access. The public is encouraged to use detours on the new on -and off-ramps and intersection at Sheffield Drive, North Jameson Lane and Olive Mill Road during the closure.

Later this fall, crews will strengthen pavement in the median and shoulder to prepare for shifting freeway lanes that allow for two lanes to remain open in each direction during construction.

The Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara Project, which has a total cost of approximately $830 million, still requires additional funding of $277 million for its remaining construction up to Sycamore Creek in Santa Barbara. To secure additional funds, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and Caltrans applied for Senate Bill 1 funding, and an announcement of awards is anticipated within the next month.