State Approves $70 Million For 101 Improvements

Highway 101On June 7, the California Transportation Commission approved nearly $70 million in project improvements to the 101 freeway in Santa Barbara County.  Earlier this year the CTC had allocated another $131 million to widen the 101 freeway to six lanes from La Conchita in Ventura County to Carpinteria.  All of the funding is available as a result of the state’s voters approving Proposition 1B last November.

The latest funding approved by the commission is a major step forward in SBCAG’s efforts to fully fund the South Coast 101 widening and relieve congestion in the 4-lane bottleneck section of the freeway between Milpas Street and La Conchita. 

The approved state funding includes:

  • Closing a shortfall on first phase of widening from Milpas to Cabrillo/Hot Springs that will start construction next year;

  • Full funding for phase two of the widening from Mussel Shoals in Ventura County  to Carpinteria Creek scheduled to begin in 2011;

  • Improvements at the 101/Linden and Casitas Pass interchanges, and

  • Completing preliminary engineering/environmental studies for the 101 widening project “gap” from Carpinteria Creek to Santa Barbara.

SBCAG received state approval for all of the funding it requested for 101 corridor improvements, demonstrating a commitment at both the state and local level to moving forward on the widening project.  Completion of the widening, however, will depend heavily on whether county voters approve the renewal of Measure D in the November 2008 election which would provide local funds and additional state matching funds

In addition to the south county Highway 101 widening funds, the CTC also approved final design funding for the widening of the 101/Santa Maria River Bridge connecting Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.  When the design work is complete, this project will be competitive for state construction funding and a high priority for regional Measure D funds. 

Finally, the state approved for two rail track siding projects which will improve the performance of Amtrak passenger train service and Union Pacific goods movement.  Funding for design of siding improvements between Moorpark and Santa Barbara and construction of a siding project in Northern Santa Barbara County was allocated.   

Back to top

November 2008 Targeted For Measure D Renewal Election

Measure DRecognizing the importance of maintaining a critical source of revenue for local transportation needs, the SBCAG Board recently voted to target the November 2008 general election for the next Measure D renewal election.  The plan for renewing Measure D will be substantially different than the November 2006 renewal measure which was supported by 54% of county voters but failed to achieve the required two-thirds voter approval.  Notably, the next measure will be a continuation of the existing ½ percent sale tax levy rather than the ¾ percent measure that failed at the polls last November. 

Other features of the renewal plan approved by the board are also intended to better reflect local transportation priorities and increase voter support.  The board decided to make the widening of 101 on the south coast the top priority by providing countywide funding for this critical congestion relief project.  The balance of funding will be divided into two separate subregional plans for the North County and South Coast.  Recommendations for how to allocate funds for the each of the subregional plans will be developed by two committees comprised of SBCAG board members representing the subregions with input from area residents, businesses and community organizations.  The two subregional plans will be combined into a county-wide plan and approved by the full SBCAG board before being presented to county voters for approval in the November 2008 general election. 

If Measure D is not renewed by 2010, the region will lose nearly $35 million annually in transportation funding.  The impact on our region’s transportation system will be disastrous.  The significant gains made by local governments in improving the road quality of local streets over the last 17 years would be lost.  Traffic congestion will increase because the region will have to rely on inadequate state and federal fuel tax revenues to widen 101 and make other highway and local road improvements.  Local and commuter bus services will suffer from inadequate funding and congestion will increase as commuters face dwindling mode choices.  Without a local transportation revenue source, the region will be at a disadvantage in competing for discretionary state and federal matching funds. 

Measure D is the financial foundation of our county’s transportation improvement system.  Over the next year and a half SBCAG will be working with the community and its elected representatives to develop a new spending plan that can gain the two-thirds support of county-wide voters necessary to renew this critical source of transportation funding for Santa Barbara County.  Public input on the new plan is critical and members of the public are encouraged to get involved by attending the SBCAG subregional planning committee meetings.  Check the SBCAG website for upcoming meetings and agendas:  www.sbcag.org.

Back to top

Traffic Solutions Team Bike Challenge Is ON!2007 Team Bike Challenge

This year’s month long TEAM BIKE CHALLENGE began JUNE 1st.  Teams of cyclists earn points for each car trip replaced by a bicycle ride.  Last year, riders collectively pedaled the equivalent of more than 5 times around the Earth!  This year, we’re shooting for the moon!  With more teams and more riders riding more miles than ever before our combined goal is to ride the distance from the earth to the moon - about 240,000 miles!  As of mid-June over 1,130 participants had formed 253 teams.  It is not too late to join in the fun.  Register at www.trafficsolutions.info .

Why is the Team Bike Challenge for you?

  • Win prizes by making trips by bike instead of car!

  • All your utilitarian bike trips count.

  • It is simple, fun…and FREE!

  • Save money, get in shape, help reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality just by riding your bike.

Shoot for the MOON in June!  Go to www.trafficsolutions.info or call 963-SAVE.

Back to top

Freeway Service Patrol Helps 2000th Motorist

Freeway Service PatrolThe Santa Barbara County Freeway Service Patrol helped its 2,000th stranded motorist last month. The FSP program started service just over one year ago, patrolling the heavily congested 101 freeway in south Santa Barbara County during peak traffic times and offering motorists in disabled vehicles assistance to get them on their way or off the freeway.  This free, public service provides congestion relief, improved safety, and air quality benefits by quickly clearing stalled cars, traffic accidents, debris in the traffic lanes and other hazards that are major causes of traffic congestion.  The FSP program is funded primarily through a state grant that is matched by revenue from a $1.00 annual fee levied on vehicles registered in Santa Barbara County. 

Back to top

Breeze Bus Ridership Climbing

Breeze BusThe Breeze bus recently celebrated its second anniversary with record ridership.  The Breeze is an intercommunity, commuter–oriented transit service linking Santa Maria, Vandenberg Air Force Base, and Lompoc with eight round trips each weekday.

Breeze ridership has exceeded initial projections and is proving very popular with north county commuters.   Passenger counts have increased steadily since the service began on May 9, 2005.  Ridership for the last fiscal year totaled 35,783 passengers and this year ridership has been approximately 15% higher each month than in the prior year.

The overall Farebox Recovery Ratio, the percentage of the total cost to operate the service that is paid by rider fares was 16.93% last year, well above the first-year projection of 14%.  Plans are underway to link the Breeze service to Buellton and Solvang connecting the Santa Ynez Valley with service to Lompoc, VAFB and Santa Maria.  When the expansion comes on-line early next year, all of the north county incorporated cities will be connected by daily bus service.

Back to top