A $160,000 state grant will help local transportation agencies begin an 18-month study of safety, congestion, and mobility along State Route 135 (also known as Broadway) between Orcutt and Santa Maria.
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) awarded the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant to Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) and the city of Santa Maria as part of a statewide investment of $26.5 million to help communities plan smarter, safer transportation projects.
“State Route 135 links two growing communities, but the highway looks and behaves very differently as it moves between them; it begins as an expressway, then becomes a high-speed arterial, and eventually narrows into a slower city street with signals, cross traffic, and business access,” said Mike Becker, director of planning for SBCAG.
“Those rapid transitions create real safety and mobility challenges. This study allows us to work with the community to understand the corridor’s long-term needs,” Becker said.
The corridor study will evaluate current and future needs related to:
- Economic vitality: Ensuring people and goods can move reliably between Orcutt and Santa Maria.
- Safety: Identifying improvements that make the corridor safer for all road users.
- Multimodal access: Understanding how people travel by car, bike, bus, or on foot and what infrastructure is needed to support each mode.
- Climate considerations: Exploring improvements that support state climate goals while meeting local needs.
SBCAG, with support from the city of Santa Maria, will lead the planning effort. Public engagement is expected to begin this summer, and the study is to conclude by the end of 2027.
Public workshops and a project website will offer residents and businesses opportunities to share their experiences and stay informed.
“We’re thankful for this award and eager to hear from the people who use this corridor every day,” said Marjie Kirn, SBCAG executive director. “Their experiences and ideas will guide this study and help identify improvements that support the community well into the future.”
SBCAG and Santa Maria will match the $160,000 state grant with $170,000 in local funds, bringing the total study cost to $330,000.
SBCAG plans to release a request for proposals in the coming weeks, with a consultant agreement expected to be considered by the Board of Directors by February.
For more, contact SBCAG at 805-961-8900 or info@sbcag.org.