A short-term project to boost safety at the intersection of Highway 154 and Foxen Canyon Road now stands as a warning for drivers, but Caltrans already is gearing up to install the area’s third roundabout.
Caltrans completed the project to install flashing beacons at the highway’s intersection with Foxen Canyon Road in Los Olivos.
The yellow flashing beacons are positioned on eastbound Highway 154 before Foxen Canyon Road and westbound on Highway 154 before the Grand Avenue/Figueroa Mountain Road intersection.
Installation of the safety devices occurred as Caltrans works toward installing a roundabout at the intersection with construction to start in 2027 and finish in late 2028.
“This intersection recently met the conditions required to justify consideration of an all-way stop or traffic signal,” Caltrans said.
The state’s evaluation determined that a single-lane roundabout would provide the best solution.
“The evaluation also concluded that an all-way stop is not viable as a short- or long-term solution due to excessive queuing and delays that would occur in the peak travel hours,” Caltrans said.
Residents have pleaded for safety improvements for the highway’s intersection with Foxen Canyon Road, where currently a two-way stop exists.
Caltrans said it hopes to eliminate high-speed broadside crashes that caused death and major injuries.
Since 2018, Caltrans has undertaken other measures to boost safety, including adding signage and stripping while removing vegetation.
Meanwhile, the roundabout project at the intersection of Highway 154 and Baseline Avenue/Edison Street near Los Olivos has reached another milestone.
Caltrans said the roundabout now is open to travelers in both directions, but drivers were warned that work nearby continues.
The west side of the intersection of Baseline/Edison will remain closed until all connector work has been completed, Caltrans said.
Businesses remain open and accessible along Baseline/Edison during construction.
Message and directional signs are in place to alert the traveling public of work-related detours.
The $8.7 million project includes the installation of curb ramps, rumble strips and a lighting system and is expected to be completed this spring.
The contractor is Granite Construction Co. of Santa Maria.
Highway 154’s first roundabout at the intersection with Highway 246 and Armour Ranch Road has been in place since late 2014.
Past discussions about Highway 154 safety through the Santa Ynez Valley also have included considerations of possible changes to the intersection at Roblar Avenue.
Five years ago, the Santa Ynez Valley Traffic Circulation & Safety Study put the spotlight on a need for several improvements along the busy roadway.