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PURPOSE

The purpose of this project is to improve traffic congestion, ramp access, and safety on Highway 101 from Milpas Street to Hot Springs Road/Cabrillo Boulevard. The project will also improve local circulation for vehicles and provide improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities. This project focuses on 2 miles of Highway 101 between Santa Barbara and Montecito.

Caltrans has partnered with SBCAG to jointly develop this $57 million construction project. Both Caltrans and SBCAG are working with the City of Santa Barbara on specific project features, design details, and implementation.

BACKGROUND AND MILESTONES
  • 1989 - Measure D, a 1/2 cent sales tax, is approved to fund Santa Barbara County transportation projects
  • 1996 - SBCAG programmed state highway funds, a portion of which is from Measure D, for eleven “101 Operational Improvement” projects – this includes the operational improvements between Milpas St. and Hot Springs Rd./Cabrillo Blvd.
  • 1997 – 2000 – Public & agencies work to identify project components
  • 2000 – 2004 – Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process; 2003 - Caltrans conducts 24 informational meetings with various community groups and local agencies regarding the draft EIR for the Highway 101 Operational Improvements between Milpas St. and Hot Springs Rd./Cabrillo Blvd.; 2004 – EIR approved; 2004 - Public hearings are held and the Planning Commission approves a Coastal Development Permit
  • 2004 - 2007 - SBCAG commits $13 million in Measure D dollars to the project;
    The project team finalizes detailed design and construction drawings
  • 2008 - The project is slated to begin construction in 2008

HWY 101 HISTORY

Highway 101 is an integral part of mobility in the Santa Barbara region. To provide a glance back at the beginning of Hwy 101, historic photos and background information are listed below.

Highway 101 follows the route that Juan Gaspar de Portola, a Spanish explorer, used in 1769. It later became known as El Camino Real, or The King's Highway, and connected 21 missions in California. The highway served as the main north/south route in California until the 1920s. In the 1950s and 1960s, the highway was paved with concrete and designed in the footprint that is currently used in the Santa Barbara area. The photos below depict the original highway in the Santa Barbara region in 1957.


PARTNERS:

SBCAG CalTrans City of Santa Barbara Measure D

Highway 101 at Santa Monica Rd.
Highway 101 & Casitas Pass Rd.
Highway 101 & Casitas Pass Rd.