California Transportation Commission allocation provides a significant investment in the local economy. New funding benefits high-priority, multimodal transportation opportunities such as the Highway 101 Carpinteria project, coastal access improvements, and multi-use trails. 

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $107.54 million to SBCAG at their March CTC meeting which was originally scheduled to be held in Santa Barbara, California. The CTC meeting was held via teleconference in response to Governor Newsom’s March 17, 2020 Executive Order N-29-20 related to COVID-19. The funding supports high-priority multimodal transportation projects in Santa Barbara County to relieve congestion in the U.S. 101 Corridor. A significant portion of the state funding comes from Senate Bill 1, known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. SBCAG, in partnership with Caltrans, was able to leverage this state funding due to Measure A, Santa Barbara County’s local transportation sales tax to support local government partners in the construction of five projects benefiting the public and local economy. 

“We are very grateful to receive this funding from the California Transportation Commission,” said Gregg Hart, Chair of SBCAG Board of Directors. “Now, more than ever, as we are faced with impacts on health and the economy as a result of COVID-19, we recognize the critical role transportation projects will provide in creating jobs and in helping to foster economic growth.”

The following is a list of the CTC funded projects for Santa Barbara County: 

Highway 101: Carpinteria 
$105.5 million 
The project will add a peak-period carpool lane to the freeway in each direction within the City of Carpinteria between Bailard Avenue and the southbound Highway 101 on-ramp at Santa Claus Lane. The new lanes will tie into recently added third lanes to the south and upcoming projects to the north. New bridges will be built over Franklin and Santa Monica Creeks. There will be freeway on- and off-ramp improvements at Santa Monica Road, Carpinteria Avenue, and Reynolds Avenue. Six new sound walls will be constructed to reduce freeway noise for neighbors. On local streets, there will be improvements to the intersections at Santa Monica Road and Via Real, Reynolds and Carpinteria Avenues; and Bailard Avenue and the freeway ramps. $96 million is designated for capital costs, highway and landscaping. Construction starts April 5, more information avaiable via the SBROADS.com website. 

Santa Claus Lane Class I Bike Path 
$410,000
The project will construct a Class I Bike Path adjacent to the southbound lanes of US 101 between Estero Street, near Carpinteria Avenue off-ramp in the City of Carpinteria, and Sand Point Road in the County of Santa Barbara.

Rincon Multi-use Trail 
$802,000
The Project will construct a multi-use pedestrian and bicycle Class I path connecting Carpinteria Avenue to Rincon County Beach Park

Summerland Area Coastal Access Improvements 
$600,000
The project is located in the County of Santa Barbara, near the community of Summerland. This project will construct 0.4 miles of sidewalk and add coastal access parking along Wallace Avenue. This project will also construct 0.4 miles of sidewalk to complete a gap in California Coastal Trail between Greenwell Drive and North Padaro Lane and add a Class I multi-purpose path.

North Padaro Lane Coastal Access Improvements 
$180,000
The project will construct 0.2 miles of sidewalk to complete a gap in California Coastal Trail between Highway 101 and Loon Point Beach Parking area where coastal access exists. This project will also add coastal trail signage along North Padaro Lane and for vertical access to beach.

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About the California Transportation Commission
The California Transportation Commission is an independent public agency responsible for programming and allocating state and federal transportation funds used in the construction of highway, intercity passenger rail, active transportation, transit, and aeronautic improvements throughout California. 

Highway 101 Ribbon Cutting & Groundbreaking, Santa Ynez Valley Traffic Circulation and Traffic Study Community Meeting, Open Streets Santa Maria, and  Santa Ynez River Trail Alignment Study Community Meeting among the public events postponed.

SBCAG in coordination with City partners, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Caltrans, and the California Transportation Commission has postponed community meetings and special events through the end of March and early April per the latest health order from the County of Santa Barbara, guidelines from Governor Newsom and the California Department of Public Health in response to COVID-19.
 
While no cases have been officially reported yet in Santa Barbara County, SBCAG recognizes the importance of taking necessary actions to ensure that all members of the public have the opportunity to fully participate in these community gatherings. SBCAG acknowledges the significance of California Department of Public Health’s guidance on implementing aggressive strategies that create social distance and those that reduce close contact of people not regularly together, including limiting gatherings, that have proven effective in prior pandemics at delaying rates of transmission and reducing illness and death.
 
Thoughtful planning and coordination has gone into organizing these community meetings and events for the benefit of communities and residents of Santa Barbara County. SBCAG looks forward to rescheduling these events when attendance of all members of the community is possible.
 
Listed below are the following public events that have been postponed:

• March 25-16: California Transportation Commission will no longer be holding their March 25 and 26 meeting in Santa Barbara. The regular meeting agenda and information on how to participate will be posted on Friday, March 13 on their website. SBCAG is working closely with the California Transportation Commission on scheduling a future meeting in Santa Barbara. In consultation with the Commission, Caltrans, and the City of Carpinteria. The corresponding special events related to the Commission’s visit will be postponed.

• March 26: Ribbon Cutting / Groundbreaking for the U.S. 101 Linden and Casitas Project & U.S. 101: Carpinteria.

• March 26: Santa Ynez Valley Traffic Circulation and Safety Study Community Meeting in Solvang (rescheduled to May).

• March 29: Open Streets Santa Maria (rescheduled to October 25).

• April 7: Santa Ynez River Trail Alignment Study in Buellton (rescheduled to May).

 
While SBCAG has postponed all upcoming non-essential community meetings and special events through April, the SBCAG Board of Directors will conduct their regular scheduled meeting on March 19 as an essential meeting of the legislative body. The agenda is available on the SBCAG website. Consistent with the Governors Executive Order N 25-20 related to COVID-19, SBCAG is required to notice at least one publicly accessible location from which members of the public shall have the right to observe and offer public comment at the public meeting. The meeting location is the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at 105 E. Anapamu St, 4th floor in Santa Barbara, or the public can participate using the remote video testimony system located at the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway in Santa Maria. The County of Santa Barbara has implemented social distancing requirements in their board hearing rooms that will be applied to the SBCAG’s regularly scheduled meeting. Additionally, the public can submit written public comment to 260 N. San Antonia Road, Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93110, or electronically via email at sbcaginfo@sbcag.org prior to the meeting. SBCAG Board of Directors meetings are televised live on County of Santa Barbara Television (CSBTV) Channel 20. Rebroadcast of this SBCAG meeting will be at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 and 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23.
 
The public is reminded to stay informed and follow the guidance of the Santa Barbara Public Health Department that has been working to urge the community of taking steps to take to protect their health and the health of those around them, including:

• Wash your hands with soap and water
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough
• Get vaccinated for the flu every year

 
For more information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), please visit the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department website or call the Public Health Department information line at 805-681-4373 (recorded information in English and Spanish). For the most up to date information regarding the novel coronavirus on the national level, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

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Lori La Riva of Traffic Solutions, a division of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, was recognized as a 2019, 40 Under 40, emerging leader in transportation demand management by the Association for Commuter Transportation. The association recognizes professionals who are leaders in their field in developing programs that shift behavior and create long-lasting change for commuters and increase the livability of their communities. La Riva was recognized among an impressive group of international leaders who are changing the way communities address transportation and mobility challenges.

“This is a tremendous honor for our organization by recognizing an inspiring leader who is working on creative solutions to help move people in a sustainable way for the benefit our community and economy,” remarked Kent Epperson, Director of Traffic Solutions.  “Lori is the kind of person who wins commuters over with her big smile, approachable demeanor, humble nature, and her impeccable professionalism.  Over the years, she has helped build a large community of commuters and employer partners that feel like family to us and are our most active champions for sustainable transportation in Santa Barbara County.”

La Riva remarks that she enjoys collaborating with local employers to build commuter programs from the ground up and takes pride in resolving situations that are challenging for commuters or employers. She also loves working with community members during CycleMAYnia Bike Month to bring their creative, inspiring, and fun ideas to life.

Traffic Solutions works to connect people and destinations by offering programs and incentives that help commuters travel smarter. A division of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, Traffic Solutions focuses on transit use, bicycling, carpooling, vanpooling, telecommuting, compressed workweeks, and flexible schedules. Traffic Solutions develops programs and relationships with local employers, government agencies, and individuals to expand commuter options that reduce traffic congestion and vehicle miles driven and encourage sustainable transportation. Employers in Santa Barbara County who wish to develop their commuter programs can contact Traffic Solutions at (805) 963-7283 or info@trafficsolutions.org.

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) elected their 2020 leadership and approved the Board of Directors regular meeting schedule through December 2020. The Board of Directors selected Gregg Hart, County Supervisor Second District to serve as Chair and Holly Sierra, Mayor of Buellton to serve as Vice-Chair. The Board also extended their appreciation to outgoing Chair Alice Patino, Mayor of Santa Maria.
 
"As a former Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Deputy Director, I understand transportation and housing issues facing our region,” said director Gregg Hart. “I will work hard with my Board colleagues, SBCAG staff and our partners to secure full funding to complete the 101 widening project, expand rail service, increase funding for transit, bike, and pedestrian improvements and create new opportunities for affordable housing."
 
In 2020, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, in partnership with Caltrans, will be focused on the Santa Barbara U.S. 101 Multimodal Corridor Project, which is the priority project of Measure A, the transportation measure passed overwhelmingly by voters in 2008. Measure A funding helped leverage $184 million in competitive Senate Bill 1 funding for the project from Carpinteria to Summerland with construction starting in 2020. In the new year, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments will seek to leverage additional Senate Bill 1 funding to secure the remaining investment needed for the entirety of the project to Santa Barbara. The funding also supports improving local connections for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit and rail users. The public can stay informed on the progress by signing up to receive updates at www.sbroads.com.
 
Santa Barbara County Association of Governments will also be engaged in Connected 2050, Santa Barbara County’s next Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP-SCS).  The RTP-SCS is the long-range transportation plan that is updated every four years and helps guide future planning efforts and policy decisions that affect transportation, including its relationship with housing and land use.  The current RTP-SCS, Fast Forward 2040, as its name suggests, plans out to the year 2040.  Connected 2050 will plan out to 2050.  Connected 2050 will also align with the Regional Housing Needs Allocation process as directed by the State of California to support how Santa Barbara communities can adequately plan to meet the housing needs for our region. Public participation will be vital to the development of Connected 2050 and Santa Barbara County Association of Governments will conduct public meetings and surveys in advance of a draft release of Connected 2050 anticipated in June 2021.
 
Regular meetings of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors occur on the 3rd Thursday of each month, convening at 10:00 a.m. Listed below is the 2020 Meeting schedule and locations. Santa Barbara meetings are held in the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at 105 East Anapamu Street, 4th Floor, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Santa Maria meetings are held in the Santa Maria Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria, CA 93455
 
2020 Regular Meeting Dates/Locations

• January 16, Santa Barbara
• February 20, Santa Maria
• March 19, Santa Barbara
• April 16, Santa Maria
• May 21, Santa Barbara
• June 18, Santa Maria
• July 16, Santa Barbara
• August 20, Santa Maria
• September 17, Santa Barbara
• October 15, Santa Maria
• November 19, Santa Barbara
• December 17, Santa Maria

First meeting of the Highway 154 Safety Committee to take place on December 16, 2019

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Highway 154 Safety Committee is hosting a Town Hall on December 16, 2019, at Solvang Veterans Memorial Building, 1745 Mission Drive in Solvang. The town hall will feature the latest information on Highway 154 traffic safety and efforts to improve safety. The public will have an opportunity to meet and ask questions of representatives from Caltrans, California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, and local/state elected officials. Childcare will be provided by the Santa Ynez YMCA at the Solvang Library, and Spanish language interpretation services will be available.
 
At 6:30 p.m., there will be an open house with state and local agencies, followed by the first meeting of the Highway 154 Safety Committee at 7:00 p.m. A committee agenda will be available on the Santa Barbara County Association of Government’s Board Committee Meeting website in advance of the meeting and will include presentations from State and local agencies. The public is encouraged, not required, to register to attend the town hall. Registration can be done online, or by phone to Santa Barbara County Association of Governments at (805) 961-8900.
 
WHAT: Highway 154 Safety Town Hall

WHEN: December 16, 2019, 6:30 p.m. – Open house with state and local agencies; 7:00 p.m. – Highway 154 Safety Committee meeting

WHERE: Solvang Veterans Memorial Building, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang
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DETAILS: Register to attend online at www.hwy154.eventbrite.com, or by phone to Santa Barbara County Association of Governments at (805) 961-8900. The Town Hall is FREE to attend, registering helps meeting organizers plan the logistics for the event. Childcare will be provided by Santa Ynez YMCA at the Solvang Library, and Spanish language interpretation services will be available.

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments joins local agencies to celebrate Clean Air Day by offering free round-trip passes to NEW commuters on the Clean Air Express
throughout the month of October 2019
 
Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) joins Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District and other local partners to encourage Santa Barbara County residents to try alternative transportation in honor of the second annual California Clean Air Day taking place on October 2, 2019. The Clean Air Express, administered and operated by SBCAG, is offering free round-trip passes to new commuters throughout the month of October. 
 
Traffic Solutions, a division of SBCAG, launched a Clean Air Day webpage with key information on how Santa Barbara county residents can try alternative transportation to make a difference toward cleaner air today and for generations to come. The website features a link to the California Clean Air Pledge and information on how commuters living in Lompoc, Santa Maria, or the Santa Ynez Valley, who want to experience first-hand the benefits of commuting on the Clean Air Express, can sign up for a free round-trip ticket.
 
“Usually all it takes is one trip on the Clean Air Express for a new customer to become a regular customer,” said Scott Spaulding, Director of Rail and Transit Programs. “Once someone is onboard the Clean Air Express reclining in the comfortable seats, surfing the web and not gripping the wheel and staring at the road for an hour, they wonder why they’ve been spending all that money driving alone to work.”
 
The Clean Air Express serves northern Santa Barbara County with thirteen round trips each weekday, including five serving Santa Maria, seven serving Lompoc, and one serving the Santa Ynez Valley. Clean Air Express trips eliminate 350 cars and ten million vehicle miles traveled from the county’s roads every year.
 
Traffic Solutions will also be at the Marian Medical Center Clean Air Day Fair open to employees, volunteers, and hospital visitors. Traffic Solutions will distribute free Santa Maria Area Transit (SMAT) bus tokens to anyone who takes the Clean Air Pledge and will be available to share commuter resources and information.
 
California Clean Air Day is a statewide program built on the idea that shared experiences unite people to action to improve local air quality and community health. On October 2, 2019, Californians across the state will take actions to clear the air and improve their and their community’s health. More than 100,000 people participated in 2018, and it is anticipated that 10 times as many people will participate in 2019.
For more details about how to support California Clean Air Day by trying alternative transportation please visit Traffic Solutions Clean Air Day and for more information about the Clean Air Express visit the Clean Air Express website.

This Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments in its role as the Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SBC SAFE).  The SBC SAFE requires towing services for the Freeway Service Patrol (FSP). The FSP operates on Highway 101 between the Ventura County line and the Fairview Avenue interchange in the City of Goleta.  The contract SBC SAFE has with the current FSP operator will expire on August 30, 2019.
 
The FSP is a publicly funded service that began operation in March 2006. The program is comprised of a fleet of tow and pickup trucks which patrol the highway during morning and afternoon commute hours. The purpose of the FSP program is to help reduce traffic congestion on Highway 101 by providing rapid removal of disabled vehicles, debris and vehicles involved in minor accidents from the freeway during designated service hours. The FSP Program is managed by a partnership of the SBC SAFE, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
 
Proposals are being solicited from firms interested in providing towing services to SBCAG SAFE for three years commencing on September 1, 2019 and terminating on August 30, 2022.  Proposals are due Friday, June 28th and can be downloaded on the SBCAG RFP page here: www.sbcag.org/contracts--rfps.html
 
If awarded a contract to provide towing services, the Contractor shall have 45 days after the contract is executed in which to acquire the required equipment, have it inspected, hire and train drivers and be operable.  Any company that cannot meet the 45-day operational requirement shall not be awarded the contract.

A Freeway Service Patrol RFP Pre-Proposal Conference will be held at SBCAG (260 N. San Antonio Rd., Ste. B) at 4pm on Tuesday, June 18th. Staff will make a short presentation and will be available to answer oral questions at that conference.

Eight local businesses and organizations were recognized at the 2019 CycleMAYnia Bike Challenge Awards ceremony that took place on June 6, 2019 at Goleta Beach Park. Overall 96 teams competed in the 2019 Bike Challenge making nearly 17,000 bike trips and traveling more than 61,000 miles in May. The total mileage was equal to traveling two and a half times around the earth, a distance that would emit 24.8 tons of CO2 if traveled by car. 

Traffic Solutions, a division of Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), in partnership with Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) and LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency released a train commute survey to better understand Ventura County and Carpinteria commuters’ experiences. The online survey will be available through June 17, 2019.
 
A year ago, SBCAG partnered with the California State Transportation Agency to modify the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner schedule to serve the commuter market in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The revised rail service offers commuters the option of taking the train to and from work as an alternative to traveling on the congested Highway 101. Additionally, SBCAG partnered with Santa Barbara MTD to provide first and last mile shuttle service from the Santa Barbara and Goleta stations to area employers. The effort is a central component of SBCAG’s “Lane and a Train” strategy, the long-term congestion relief strategy to address the significant traffic commuters experience daily on Highway 101 between Ventura County and Santa Barbara/Goleta.  
 
A weekday average of 15,000 commuters travel from Ventura and Los Angeles Counties to their employment locations in Santa Barbara County. According to Census data, 20% of these commuters carpool, while the Pacific Surfliner peak hour train service carries 90-100 commuters, and the VCTC Coastal Express bus service carries 350-400 commuters daily.
 
Results from the survey aim to increase Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train ridership by improving outreach to commuters. Survey results will also provide important information regarding commuters’ awareness of alternative transportation resources such as the VCTC Coastal Express commuter bus service and vanpools that, in addition to the train, provide commuters greater flexibility for a variety of work schedules.
 
The commute survey is open to all commuters traveling from Ventura County and Carpinteria to worksites in the South Coast, whether or not they use the train. The survey only takes a few minutes and will remain open through June 17, 2019. The survey is anonymous, but respondents can provide their contact information to be entered to win a prize of their choosing--either an Apple iPad with keyboard or a folding bike. Five winners will be randomly selected and contacted via email by June 19, 2019. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Traffic Solutions via phone at (805) 963-SAVE or email at info@trafficsolutions.org.

Focus of committee is to ensure accountability for high priority transportation projects throughout Santa Barbara county 

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments is seeking civic-minded, interested individuals to serve on a committee of community leaders, a part of the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The committee oversees the ongoing investment of Measure A sales tax funds for high priority transportation projects and programs that address the current and future needs of Santa Barbara county. The Committee is comprised of 11 members, including four from North County, four from South County and three “at-large.” Applicants will be considered to fill an open position on the committee for an “at-large” member who can represent transportation interests in the county.  
 
On November 4, 2008, Measure A was approved in Santa Barbara county with 79% voter support, a one-half of one percent (1/2%) sales tax for transportation projects and programs over 30 years. Measure A is administered by Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and it is estimated to provide more than $1 billion of local investment in transportation projects through 2040. Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors appointed a Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee to help ensure accountability to voters regarding the expenditure of funds.
 
The Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee is made up of a balance of transportation users that represent geographic, social, cultural and economic interests in the county. Appointed members serve four-year terms and can be reappointed for additional terms at the discretion of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors. As determined by the committee, they meet as needed or one to two times a year. The committee is responsible for annually submitting comments to the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors on whether the provisions, requirements and voter mandates as outlined by Measure A’s Investment Plan and Ordinance have been properly carried out.
 
Applicants are encouraged to complete an application by June 7, 2019. For questions regarding the Measure A Citizens' Oversight Committee or the application process please contact Lauren Bianchi Klemann, Government Affairs/Public Information Manager by telephone at (805) 961-8905 or by email at lbianchiklemann@sbcag.org
 
More information about Measure A is available on the measure’s website. 


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