Project Update

Construction Begins on Final Segment of Highway 101 Widening

March 23, 2026

Construction will officially begin Monday, April 6,on the final segment of the Highway 101 widening project, marking a major milestone toward completing the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project.

Highway 101: Santa Barbara North represents the last segment of the signature Measure A project and will complete 10.9 miles of continuous peak-period carpool lanes, delivering long-awaited congestion relief and updated infrastructure for the South Coast.

“This is a huge moment for our community,” said City of Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse. “Starting construction on the final segment of Highway 101 in Santa Barbara means we are delivering on the promise we made to voters — investing local dollars locally to improve safety and reduce congestion. The Cabrillo intersection with Highway 101 will be greatly improved with four new on- and off-ramps that enter and exit from the slow lane. I’m especially glad to see the new southbound on-ramp at Cabrillo Boulevard, making freeway access safer and simpler for everyone.”

“We’ve seen meaningful improvements between Carpinteria and Summerland, and progress continues through Montecito,” said First District County Supervisor Roy Lee. “I appreciate the patience of residents, businesses, and commuters during construction. When complete, people will get to work more reliably, and local businesses can operate with greater certainty. This is about building a Highway 101 our community can depend on every day for decades to come.”

The Santa Barbara North project includes:

• A new peak-period carpool lane in each direction between Hermosillo Road and Salinas Street
• A fully reconstructed Cabrillo Boulevard Interchange with two new bridges and right-hand on- and off-ramps, including a new southbound on-ramp
• A teardrop roundabout at Cabrillo Boulevard and the Highway 101 northbound ramps to improve traffic circulation
• Permanent closure of the southbound off-ramp at Los Patos Way due to low railroad clearance
• Reconstructed freeway lanes to improve sight distance and meet current safety standards, including Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement that has a longer lifespan and quieter travel surface to help reduce neighborhood noise  
• Updated storm drains, enhanced lighting, and new overhead signs

The project is fully funded, with construction scheduled to begin on Monday, April 6, and continue through 2028 (see map below). The first change drivers will notice is the permanent closure of the southbound off-ramp at Los Patos Way. Then the northbound off-ramp at Cabrillo Boulevard that exits from the left will close a few weeks later. The initial detours will direct drivers to use the southbound off-ramp at Cabrillo Boulevard and the northbound off-ramp at Hermosillo Road respectively.

Crews will then begin strengthening the shoulder areas northbound and southbound in preparation for upcoming lane shifts. Two lanes in each direction will remain open during the day on Highway 101 to maintain access for through traffic.

“It’s exciting to see the final segment move into construction,” said Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Executive Director Marjie KIRN. “Measure A, our local transportation sales tax, has made this possible by leveraging funding from Senate Bill 1 to state and federal gas taxes. After years of planning and partnership, the community will finally see the work happen.”

“This transportation corridor is vital to the region’s economy and quality of life,” said Caltrans District 5 Director Scott Eades. “We have had great success delivering improvements across the first four segments of this project thanks to strong partnerships with local agencies. We look forward to completing this final segment in Santa Barbara and providing continuous peak-period carpool lanes from Santa Barbara to the Ventura County line.”

The public is encouraged to find more information and sign up for biweekly construction updates that include lane and ramp closure schedules and detour maps, at www.SBROADS.com, by calling (805) 845.5112, or emailing info@SBROADS.com.

About the Santa Barbara North segment

Highway 101: Santa Barbara North will add a new peak-period carpool lane in each direction between Hermosillo Road and Salinas Street. The Cabrillo Boulevard Interchange will be reconstructed with two new bridges and right-hand freeway ramps, including a new southbound on-ramp.

On Cabrillo Boulevard, a new teardrop roundabout will help improve traffic flow at the intersection with the Highway 101 northbound ramps. The Highway 101 southbound off-ramp at Los Patos Way will be closed permanently at the beginning of construction due to low clearance beneath the railroad.

About Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara North segment is part of the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project that is adding a new carpool lane in each direction along a 10.9-mile corridor. As of January 2025, 7 miles across three segments have been completed. The full project includes updating the freeway to current safety standards, improved creek and highway bridges, enhanced interchanges, reconstructed on- and off-ramps, and new sound walls.

The Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project is a partnership between Caltrans, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, the County of Santa Barbara, and the Cities of Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. The cost for construction of all the segments is approximately $700 million with contributions from the following sources:  Senate Bill 1 $295 million, state gas tax $265 million, $12 million from federal sources, and $128 million from Measure A.  Measure A, a voter approved half-cent sales tax for Santa Barbara County transportation investments, has been instrumental in leveraging state funding through the California Transportation Commission.