Community members can share their thoughts 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 S.R. 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, Santa Barbara County, 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 Mia Lewis, SBCAG transportation planner, one of the study’s project managers.
“This is an opportunity to bring those experiences into the planning process as potential improvements are considered,” she said. “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:
• 4:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 at Old Town Orcutt Farmers Market.
• 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 at Santa Maria Downtown Fridays.
Public listening sessions will also provide chances to learn about the study, talk with the project team and share ideas:
Thursday, Sept. 17
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St.
• 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Patterson Road Elementary School, 400 Patterson Road.
Friday, Sept. 18
• 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St.
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St.
Spanish interpretation will be available at all in-person listening sessions.
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 S.R. 135/Broadway receiving closer consideration, findings from the existing conditions analysis, and an interactive StoryMap providing an overview of the broader study, organizers said.
An online survey provides another way to participate. Anyone who lives, works, travels, or does business along S.R. 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 Maya Kulkarni, SBCAG transportation planner, one of the study’s project managers.
“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,” she said.
Feedback collected through the listening sessions, focus groups, community events, online survey and other engagement opportunities will help inform the S.R. 135 Comprehensive Corridor Study as the planning process advances, according to SBCAG.
SBCAG is also accepting 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.
For more about the State Route 135 Comprehensive Corridor Study, upcoming community engagement opportunities, the online survey and Stakeholder Advisory Committee recruitment, visit www.sbcag.org, call 805-600-4477 or email info@sbcag.org.
The State Route 135 Corridor Study will evaluate transportation needs and potential improvements along SR 135 between Clark Avenue in Orcutt and U.S. 101 in Santa Maria.
The study will examine safety, congestion, economic vitality and multimodal access and identify potential improvements for people driving, taking transit, walking and biking, as well as businesses and freight users.