Designed to boost safety, a new traffic signal will be added at an Orcutt intersection where a high school student was critically injured last year.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors recently took several actions related to the installation of the new traffic signal at Union Valley Parkway and Hummel Drive. 

The actions included awarding the contract for $723,381 to G. Sosa Construction of Nipomo. 

The county’s total price tag for the project is $1,249,000, including design, with funds coming from the Orcutt Transportation Improvement Plan.

Currently, the intersection features two-way stop signs for drivers on Hummel Drive while drivers on Union Valley Parkway don’t have to stop.

An existing uncontrolled marked crosswalk running north to south sits on the east side of the intersection, with pedestrian warning signs and rectangular rapid flashing beacons. 

The county pushed the project forward after a vehicle struck a 16-year-old Righetti High School student on March 21, 2024, critically injuring the girl in the crosswalk, as well as a second student late last year. 

Drivers reported that the sun’s glare severely impaired visibility at the intersection at the time of the 7:40 a.m. crash.

Fourth District Supervisor Bob Nelson said he pushed for a traffic signal after the girl was injured.

“I didn’t want to see this happen again,” Nelson said. “As far as the safety concern, it’s definitely a big deal. We have a ton of kids crossing that (road) going from that side of the community to Righetti and Lakeview (Junior High School).”

Union Valley Parkway sees a high volume of traffic, while Hummel Drive has a lower number of vehicles. During peak hours, Hummel traffic experiences long delays when entering or crossing Union Valley Parkway. 

“There is a high volume of pedestrians, including students, using the crosswalk to cross Union Valley Parkway, making this location a candidate for a signal-controlled intersection,” according to a staff report.

“Having a stoplight there will go a long way to keeping pedestrians safe,” Nelson said.

Other features will include a new sidewalk, curb and gutter, and curb ramps. Crosswalks will be installed at all four legs of the intersection, with traffic signage, pavement markings, and striping.

Supply chain issues and construction timing delays mean the project has taken longer than Nelson had hoped, he said. 

The project also accounts for the eventual widening of Union Valley Parkway to four lanes.

“It got a little more expensive and took a little longer, but it’s to capacity now so we won’t have to spend that money twice,” Nelson said. 

Public Works staff said they expect work to install the new signal will start in January and finish in February.