A fully enhanced and signalized intersection at Santa Monica Road and Via Real in Carpinteria is now open.

The intersection has been updated to ease significant daily traffic backups that often stretch half a mile during the morning commute. New pedestrian and bicycle connections improve safety and access with crosswalks, pedestrian-crossing signals, ADA accessible ramps, sidewalks, and bike lanes.

The nearly $1.5 million project, funded by Senate Bill 1 (SB1) and Measure A, was completed under budget and on schedule. The intersection officially wrapped up Dec. 29, and was built in conjunction with the updated freeway on- and off-ramps at Santa Monica Road as part of the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project to reduce impacts to local businesses and neighbors.

It is the first of 10 parallel projects that will improve local roads and beach access connections as part of the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project.

“It has been amazing to see the cooperation between the crews and companies undertaking this Herculean task. This intersection has needed to be addressed for many years, and it has been incredible to see it transformed, said Don Risdon, owner of Risdon’s 76 gas station. “I appreciate that the Highway 101 team was able to build the freeway ramps at the same time as the intersection.

“Helping people get on the freeway faster should help the daily backups and make it easier to access the businesses in the area. We also appreciate that pedestrians have an easier and safer crossing and that utilities in the area have been under-grounded. It really is nicer all around.”

Local community improvements or parallel projects, like the Santa Monica Intersection, are being built in conjunction with the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project. The projects enhance access on local roads and often complete sections of the California Coastal Trail as part of the overall strategy to reduce regional traffic congestion.

“We see the combination of local and regional improvements to walking, biking, carpooling, driving, or taking a bus as the tangible benefits of Senate Bill 1. This is one of the many examples of new infrastructure that people between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara will use daily thanks to their investment in SB1,” said State Sen. Monique Limón.

“Our goal is to improve access and circulation for everyone. The Santa Monica Intersection is the first of 10 parallel projects that range from adding biking and walking paths, roundabouts, new intersections, improved coastal access, and more,” said Das Williams, vice chair of Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG).

“With these parallel projects it is easy to see the benefits of our partnerships with SBCAG, the city of Carpinteria, the county of Santa Barbara, and the city of Santa Barbara,” said Tim Gubbins, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 5 director.

“We are able to utilize our innovative Construction Management/General Contractor strategy to work with Granite Construction to have a schedule that is efficient and reduces impacts to local businesses and neighbors,” he said.

The 10 parallel projects include the Santa Monica Intersection, Santa Claus Lane Bikeway, Santa Claus Lane Streetscape, North Padaro Lane Coastal Access, Via Real Pedestrian and Bike Improvements, Summerland Coastal Access Improvements, San Ysidro Roundabout, Olive Mill Roundabout, Cabrillo Boulevard Railroad Undercrossing, and Los Patos Roundabout.

The Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara improvements represent a significant part of the overall “lane & train” solution to address traffic congestion by adding new peak-period, carpool lanes and enhancements to improve freeway operations.

The upgrades are part of a larger congestion-relief strategy that includes peak-hour train service from Oxnard/Ventura to Santa Barbara/Goleta, commute alternatives, bicycle lanes, and improved pedestrian connections. Seven miles are under construction between Carpinteria and Summerland.

Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (signed into law on April 28, 2017) invests $54 billion over a decade to fix roads, freeways, and bridges in communities across California and puts more dollars toward transit and safety. The funds will be split equally between state and local investments. Visit http://rebuildingca.ca.gov.

Measure A was approved Nov. 4, 2008, in Santa Barbara County providing a 1.5% sales tax for transportation projects and programs over 30 years. Administered by SBCAG, Measure A is estimated to provide more than $1 billion of local investment in transportation projects and programs through 2040. For more, visit http://www.measurea.net.

For more, contact the project team at www.SBROADS.com, 805-845-5112, or info@SBROADS.com.