Project Update

State Route 135 Corridor Study Brings Public Input Opportunities to Santa Maria, Orcutt

September 8, 2026

 Listening sessions and community events planned Sept. 16-25; online survey is also available to help reimagine State Route 135 (Broadway) as a safer, more welcoming street for everyone.

Community members can share input on the State Route 135 Comprehensive Corridor Study during a series of events Sept. 16-18 in Santa Maria and Orcutt.

The study is examining State Route 135, also known as Broadway, between Orcutt, the city of Santa Maria and U.S. 101. The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), in partnership with the city of Santa Maria, County of Santa Barbara and Caltrans District 5, is evaluating how people travel along and experience the corridor and identifying potential improvements to address existing and future transportation needs.

“People who travel Broadway every day know where the challenges are and what works well,” said SBCAG Transportation Planner Mia Lewis, one of the project managers for the study. “This is an opportunity to bring those experiences into the planning process as potential improvements are considered. We want to hear from people who live and work along the corridor, businesses, commuters and anyone else who uses this corridor.”

SBCAG and its project partners, supported by transportation planning and engineering consultant Iteris, will be in Santa Maria and Orcutt throughout the week for public listening sessions, focus group discussions and community events.

The public can meet the project team at the following community events:

Public listening sessions will also provide opportunities to learn about the study, talk with the project team and share input:

Spanish interpretation will be available at all in-person listening sessions and community events.

The listening sessions are open to the public to drop in, meet the project team and explore study materials. Materials will highlight key intersections along SR 135/Broadway receiving closer consideration, findings from the existing conditions analysis and an interactive StoryMap providing an overview of the broader study.

An online survey provides another way to participate. Anyone who lives, works, travels or does business along SR 135 can share their experiences, transportation needs and priorities.

“The goal at this stage is not to present the community with a predetermined solution,” said SBCAG Transportation Planner Maya Kulkarni, one of the project managers for the study. “We are gathering information, looking closely at existing conditions and listening to the people who use this corridor, so the options considered as the study moves forward reflect both the technical analysis and local experience.”

Feedback collected through the listening sessions, focus groups, community events, online survey and other engagement opportunities will help inform the State Route 135 Comprehensive Corridor Study as the planning process advances.

SBCAG is also continuing to accept applications through Sept. 20 for the State Route 135 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, which provides another opportunity for community representatives and corridor stakeholders to participate in the study and provide input as it advances.