Project Overview

The Highway 101 Operational Improvements between Milpas Street and Hot Springs Road/Cabrillo Boulevard mark one of the largest projects undertaken by Caltrans in Santa Barbara County.  The project construction costs are approximately $57 million and include the reconstruction of two major interchanges, six new or improved bridges, freeway widening, and improvements to local streets and circulation.  The project’s main components are listed below, and the map shows the improvements colored to correspond to construction stages.  Construction is slated to begin in 2008 and will take 4 years; each construction stage is approximately one year in length.  During construction, Highway 101 will have two lanes open in each direction during peak driving hours, and Milpas Street will have at least one lane open in each direction during peak driving hours.  The majority of construction will occur behind concrete barriers during daytime work hours; some nighttime lane closures will occur.

• Third northbound lane between Salinas Street and Milpas Street
   

• Third southbound lane between Milpas Street and Hot Springs Road/Cabrillo Boulevard
   

• Bridge replacement on Highway 101 at Milpas Street
   

• Northbound auxiliary lane added from Cabrillo Boulevard on-ramp to the Salinas Street off-ramp
   

• Cacique Street pedestrian, vehicle, and bike connection added between Milpas Street and Alisos Street (under Highway 101)
   

• Roundabout added at Cabrillo Boulevard/Hot Springs Road/Coast Village Road/Old Coast Highway for local circulation improvements
   

• Improved pedestrian/bicycle access under Highway 101 and along Old Coast Highway

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to improve traffic congestion, ramp access, and safety on Highway 101 from Milpas Street to Hot Springs Road / Cabrillo Boulevard.  The project will also improve local circulation for vehicles and provide improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities.  This project focuses on two miles of Highway 101 between Santa Barbara and Montecito.

Caltrans has partnered with SBCAG to jointly develop this $57 million construction project.  Both Caltrans and SBCAG are jointly working with the City of Santa Barbara on specific project features, design details, and implementation.

Project Updates

Traffic and Monitoring
Traffic volumes are projected to increase significantly over the next 20 years on Highway 101 as well as on local roads. As a means of easing congestion, this project includes new freeway lanes, a new roundabout, and improvements to on/off ramps and pedestrian facilities.  In addition, Caltrans has agreed to monitor traffic volumes and work with the County and the City of Santa Barbara on future improvements.

The project team is also working with Traffic Solutions to provide incentives to commuters to reduce peak period traffic trips.  These include working with employers to encourage carpooling, vanpools, bus incentives, flexwork, telecommuting, and much more.  For additional information, call 963-SAVE.

Temporary Ramp Closure Reductions
Based on constructive feedback from the public at community meetings in the Spring/Summer 2005, the duration for 4 of the 6 temporary closures has been reduced.  The total duration of closure has been reduced by half.

There will also be intermittent nighttime ramp closures.

101 In Motion
To learn more about near-term and long-term solutions for the Highway 101 corridor, please visit the 101 In Motion website.

Background and Milestones

• 1989 - Measure D, a ½ cent sales tax, is approved to fund Santa Barbara County transportation projects
   

• 1996 - SBCAG allocates funding, a portion of which is from Measure D, for eleven “101 Operational Improvement” projects – this includes the operational improvements between Milpas St. and Hot Springs Rd. / Cabrillo Blvd.
   

• 2000-2004 -  The Environmental Impact (EIR) Process;   2003 - Caltrans conducts 24 informational meetings with various community groups and local agencies regarding the draft EIR for the Highway 101 Operational Improvements between Milpas St. and Hot Springs Rd. / Cabrillo Blvd.;   2004 - The EIR is approved;   2004 - Public hearings are held and the Planning Commission approves a Coastal Development Permit
   

• 2005-2007 The project team is working on detailed design and construction drawings for the project.   The City of Santa Barbara continues to provide review of detailed design and staging
   

• 2008 - The project is slated to begin construction