Solvang is preparing to apply for a state grant in November to fund a traffic study of Mission Drive, aiming to push back on Caltrans’ resistance to changes that could relieve congestion through the downtown corridor.

The grant-funded study would focus on the stretch of Highway 246, which is under Caltrans jurisdiction, that runs through downtown Solvang, as well as surrounding roads. It would model vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist activity while collecting new traffic data, including greenhouse gas emissions.

City officials hope the findings will justify long-requested improvements such as protected left-turn signals at the Mission Drive intersections at Alisal Road and Fifth Street.

At Monday’s City Council meeting, Public Works Director Bridget Paris outlined the grant plan as part of a broader effort to address persistent backups on Mission Drive and the impact on surrounding roads. The discussion followed a recent walkthrough with Caltrans representatives, who joined city staff in walking the stretch of Highway 246/Mission Drive from Alisal Road to Fifth Street to observe traffic patterns, turning movements and pedestrian activity along the route.

“They noticed the queuing that was happening along Fifth Street and we let them know that it goes all the way up Oak Street during those high times,” Paris said.

She said Caltrans has pushed back on the city’s requests to add protected left-turn phases at both Alisal Road and Fifth Street, and that representatives told the city each added turn phase could delay traffic flow through downtown by up to a minute per cycle.

“It’s more than just the left turn,” Paris said. “They have to change the pedestrian crossings, it just kind of backs things up.”

City Manager Randy Murphy said Caltrans’ current traffic models focus on average weekday conditions and overlook weekend congestion and spillover onto residential streets. He said the city already has some traffic data through its Pacer AI system and with the proposed study, “we’re going to overwhelm them with data.”

Caltrans Proposes Early Interventions

Paris outlined three short-term strategies Caltrans proposed to ease congestion while a full study was able to be completed.

The first option would eliminate on-street parking along both sides of Mission Drive to discourage drivers from slowing down to search for spaces. Paris said Caltrans believes this could “increase the flow through Mission Drive during those peak times,” but noted the change would require restriping, new signage and pavement markings.

Caltrans also recommended negotiating with Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery to remove diagonal parking in front of the business on the north side of Mission Drive between Fifth Street and Fourth Place. The “nose-in pull-out” configuration is disruptive to traffic, Paris said, especially when drivers back out during heavy flow.

A third suggestion involved exploring a seasonal park-and-ride lot outside city limits, where visitors could be shuttled into downtown during major events such as Julefest or the summer car show. Council members expressed interest in the idea but acknowledged it would require significant coordination.

Potential “Quick Fixes” Moving Forward

The council floated a few suggestions that could either complement the proposed study or be pursued on a shorter timeline.

Murphy said he inquired about the possibility of using two different traffic signal configurations. One would be for typical weekdays and another for peak periods such as Julefest or Fourth of July. He said Caltrans indicated the approach might be feasible.

Mayor David Brown said any corridor analysis should account for nearby arterial routes such as Viborg Road and Oak Street, where congestion has pushed more traffic off Mission Drive. He also suggested adding pavement markings at key intersections like Fifth Street and Copenhagen Drive to discourage drivers from blocking cross streets during backups.

“These are little things that we can control and do to help,” Brown said.

Councilmember Mark Infanti suggested that enforcement could be difficult without a municipal police force.

Murphy said no formal vote was needed Monday but explained that the presentation was meant to provide an update and prepare for broader community conversations.

“One of the main reasons we brought this forward was to share those frustrations, both with the council and the community,” he said. “We are going to have some community meetings that come out of this when we have Caltrans on board.”

Brown voiced support for moving quickly.

“We’re all on the same page here for Solvang,” Brown said. “My biggest concern is I’d like to see something within two years, not two decades.”

In the meantime, city staff plan to gather community input on potential short-term strategies while continuing to work with Caltrans to finalize the scope and data needed for traffic study grant application in November.