Two major transportation and coastal access projects in Summerland and the Carpinteria Valley will impact traffic and beach access starting this month, according to the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department.

Construction of a pedestrian at-grade railroad crossing to Santa Claus Lane Beach began Sept. 1, and the creation of an 800-foot multi-use path that will connect the Ortega Hill bike path to the bicycle and pedestrian facilities along North Jameson Lane will begin later in September, according to Public Works spokesperson Lael Wageneck.

The $11-million railroad crossing project is expected to be completed in summer 2027. While construction for that project is active, beachgoers will only be able to access the beach at an entrance west of Santa Claus Lane’s commercial area.

No-parking signs will also be posted, according to Wageneck. Those signs may be removed when crews are not on site.

That project is fully funded through the State Interregional Transportation Improvement Program funds, with construction handled by Toro Enterprises, Inc. 

Toro Enterprises, Inc. is also on the 800-foot multi-use path project in Summerland, which “fills a long‑standing gap in the California Coastal Trail and Pacific Bike Route, improving safety and mobility for cyclists and pedestrians traveling between Montecito and Summerland,” Wageneck said.

That $1.5-million project is expected to be completed in January 2027. It is fully funded by the state of California’s Solution Congested Corridors Program.

While workers are on-site, one lane of alternating traffic will be open, with crews directing traffic.

While crews are not working, temporary traffic signals may be installed if the full lane cannot be reopened at that phase of the project, per Wageneck.