The final phase of the Highway 101 widening project through Santa Barbara is set to break ground this spring.
The California Transportation Commission voted in January to release previously approved funding for the project’s Santa Barbara North segment, which runs from Hermosillo Road to Salinas Street.
The commission approved the final funding last summer for the estimated $700-million project to add a “peak-period” carpool lane to an 11-mile stretch of Highway 101 between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara.
The state’s formal allocation of about $96 million clears the way for construction to begin this spring, as planned, said Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Director of Programming Sarkes Khachek.
“Given the road map laid out, we’re looking at winter 2028 to be done with the HOV,” he said, referring to the carpool lane work.
Construction on the Santa Barbara North segment will rebuild the Cabrillo Boulevard interchange, with early work expected to include shoulder improvements and the permanent closure of the Los Patos Way southbound offramp.
Project spokesperson Kirsten Ayars said work to finish the project’s Santa Barbara South and Montecito segments, which run from Sheffield Drive to Hermosillo Road, is expected to be completed this year. She said schedules are being coordinated so drivers are not hit with consecutive highway ramp closures.
“Before we move into the Santa Barbara North segment and close ramps in that segment, we need to have progress far enough in Santa Barbara South and Montecito so that we can open the offramp at Olive Mill and Spring Road,” Ayars said.
The southbound offramp at Olive Mill Road and Spring Road has been closed since September.
Ayars said the project remains on track, and a community meeting is scheduled for March 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cabrillo Pavilion, 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd., where officials will share details including planned closures and detours.
