Transportation Planning

Twelve Community Members Appointed to State Route 135 (Broadway) Advisory Committee

November 12, 2026

Committee to review corridor transportation conditions and public input at Dec. 1 meeting

Twelve community members representing Santa Maria, Orcutt and interests throughout the State Route 135/Broadway corridor will help identify transportation needs and potential improvements as part of a comprehensive corridor study led by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG).

The SBCAG Board of Directors recently appointed the members to the study’s Advisory Committee to bring local perspectives into the development of transportation recommendations.

The committee includes four representatives from Santa Maria, four from Orcutt and four at-large members. Together, they bring perspectives from education, business, agriculture, public transportation, bicycling, public service and other community interests.

The SBCAG Board of Directors appointed the following members:

Santa Maria Representatives

• Tom Lopez
• Jack Owen Jr.
• Kenneth L. Wolf
• Cynthia Gudino

Orcutt Representatives

• Joseph Dana
• April Huckabey
• Kyle Huerth
• James Grenna

At-Large Representatives

• Claire Wineman
• Martin Pehl
• Midge Nicosia
• Robert Albrecht

“The committee’s initial work will focus on reviewing existing transportation conditions and findings from public outreach to better understand challenges and priorities along the corridor,” said SBCAG Transportation Planner Mia Lewis, project manager for the study. “As the study progresses, members will review potential improvements and provide input as recommendations are developed.”

The study covers State Route 135, also known as Broadway through Santa Maria, from Clark Avenue in Orcutt to U.S. 101 in Santa Maria. The corridor serves residents, commuters, businesses and freight movement, transitioning from an expressway to a high-speed arterial and then to a city street with traffic signals, intersections and business access.

Led by SBCAG in partnership with the City of Santa Maria, County of Santa Barbara and Caltrans District 5, the study evaluates current and future transportation needs related to safety, congestion, economic vitality and access for people driving, taking transit, walking and biking. It will identify potential near- and long-term improvements for roadways, transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and freight movement. The study will also assess the feasibility of Bus Rapid Transit service along the corridor.

First Advisory Committee Meeting

The Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at Shepard Hall in the Santa Maria Public Library.

The meeting is expected to include an introduction of committee members, an overview of the study and its schedule, and a review of existing transportation conditions and public outreach findings.

Committee meetings will be conducted in accordance with California’s Ralph M. Brown Act and are open to the public, with opportunities to provide public comment. Approximately four committee meetings are anticipated during the study.

“Community members do not need to serve on the advisory committee to stay involved,” said Lewis. “We encourage residents, businesses, commuters, and others who use State Route 135/Broadway to follow the study and participate as transportation needs and potential improvements are evaluated.”

Visit the project webpage at www.sbcag.org/sr135study to learn more about the study, review advisory committee information, access meeting notices and agendas, and sign up for project updates. Subscribers will receive information about upcoming meetings, study progress and additional opportunities to provide input.

The State Route 135/Broadway Comprehensive Corridor Study is supported by a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant. Its recommendations will help inform future transportation investments by local agencies and Caltrans.