Posted on December 30, 2021
| 10:48 a.m.
A fully developed and signposted intersection on Santa Monica Road and Via Real in Carpinteria is now open.
The intersection has been updated to avoid significant daily traffic jams, often half a mile during the morning commute. New pedestrian and bicycle connections improve safety and accessibility with zebra crossings, pedestrian crossing signals, ADA-accessible ramps, sidewalks, and bike lanes.
The nearly $ 1.5 million project, funded by Senate Act 1 (SB1) and Measure A, completed on budget and on schedule. The intersection was officially completed on December 29th and was built in conjunction with the updated freeway entrances and exits on Santa Monica Road as part of the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project to reduce the impact on local businesses and neighbors.
It is the first of 10 parallel projects that will improve local roads and beach access links as part of the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project.
“It was amazing to see how the crews and the companies work together on this Herculean task. This intersection had been tackled for many years and it was incredible how it changed, said Don Risdon, owner of Risdon 76 Gas Station. “I appreciate that the Highway 101 team was able to build the freeway on-ramps at the same time as the intersection.
“Helping people get onto the freeway faster should facilitate daily backups and access to local shops. We also appreciate that pedestrians can cross more easily and safely, and that utilities in the area have been moved underground It really is more beautiful all around. “
In conjunction with the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project, local community improvements or parallel projects such as the Santa Monica Intersection are being built. The projects improve the development of local roads and often complete sections of the California Coastal Trail as part of the overall strategy to reduce regional traffic congestion.
“We see the tangible benefits of Senate Law 1 in the combination of local and regional improvements in walking, cycling, carpooling, driving or bus rides. This is one of the many examples of new infrastructure that the people between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara will have thanks to them Leverage investment in SB1 every day, ”said State Sen. Monique Limón.
“Our goal is to improve access and traffic for everyone. The Santa Monica Intersection is the first of 10 parallel projects ranging from building bike and hiking trails, roundabouts, new intersections, improved coastal access and more, ”said Das Williams, vice chairman of the Santa Barbara County Council (SBCAG).
“With these parallel projects, the benefits of our partnerships with SBCAG, the City of Carpinteria, Counties of Santa Barbara, and the City of Santa Barbara are easy to see,” said Tim Gubbins, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 5 director.
“We are able to leverage our innovative construction management / general contractor strategy to work with Granite Construction to have an efficient schedule that reduces the impact on local businesses and neighbors,” he said.
The 10 parallel projects include the Santa Monica Intersection, Santa Claus Lane Bikeway, Santa Claus Lane Streetscape, North Padaro Lane Coastal Access, Via Real Pedestrian and Bike Improvements, Summerland Coastal Access Improvements, San Ysidro Roundabout, Olive Mill Roundabout, Cabrillo Boulevard Railroad Undercrossing, and Los Patos Roundabout.
Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara improvements are an integral part of the overall Track & Train solution to clearing traffic jams by adding new lanes at peak times, carpooling, and improving highway operations.
The upgrades are part of a larger congestion relief strategy that includes busy train connections from Oxnard / Ventura to Santa Barbara / Goleta, commute alternatives, bike paths and improved pedestrian connections. Seven miles are under construction between Carpinteria and Summerland.
Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (which came into effect April 28, 2017) is investing $ 54 billion over a decade to repair roads, highways, and bridges in communities across California and add more dollars to transit and invest security. The funds are divided equally between state and local investments. Visit http://rebuildingca.ca.gov.
Measure A, approved in Santa Barbara County on November 4, 2008, provides a 1.5% sales tax on transportation projects and programs over 30 years. Action A, managed by SBCAG, is estimated to provide more than $ 1 billion in local investments in transportation projects and programs by 2040. More information is available at http://www.measurea.net.
For more information, contact the project team at www.SBROADS.com, 805-845-5112, or [email protected]
Comments are closed.