Highway 101: Padaro - Completed

Project Overview

Highway 101: Padaro widened Highway 101 to three lanes in each direction between the City of Carpinteria and Summerland.

The project included new bridges over Toro and Arroyo Parida Creeks. Freeway signs for Arroyo Parida Creek were updated to Arroyo Paredon Creek to comply with community wishes for greater consistency in naming along the creek watershed.

At the South Padaro Lane Undercrossing, the bridge and on- and off-ramps were replaced. At the North Padaro Lane Interchange, new on- and off-ramp improvements were built.

There were also three new sound walls built to reduce neighborhood noise. Plantings were installed in 2026.

Padaro Phase 4B Components Map

Updated
November
2025

Roadway Improvements

Project Timeline

Updated
November
2025

The timeline is a reference tool to show scheduled improvements and key closures. Construction occurred from summer 2021 through mid 2025.

Padaro timeline showing project duration and road closures
South Padaro rendering

Key Improvements

The South Padaro/Santa Claus Lane Undercrossing has been reconstructed with a new clear-span bridge and new on- and off-ramps. The bridge features an arch and beach-wood plank details. There are also new sidewalks, lighting, bike lanes, parking and landscaping to improve pedestrian areas and bike connections.

Key Improvements

The South Padaro/Santa Claus Lane Undercrossing has been reconstructed with a new clear-span bridge and new on- and off-ramps. The bridge features an arch and beach-wood plank details. There are also new sidewalks, lighting, bike lanes, parking and landscaping to improve pedestrian areas and bike connections.

South Padaro rendering

The World War 1 memorial between Santa Claus Lane and North Padaro Lane features 108 new oak trees and a unique center median with oak leaf reliefs, a blue ribbon, and Blue Star plaques.

Median Design

Padaro median design
Beach at Sunset

Padaro Lane
Coastal Access
Improvements

The County of Santa Barbara improved coastal access by extending a sidewalk and path from the existing North Padaro bridge over Union Pacific Railroad to Loon Point Park to an existing coastal access trail head. There are also new California Coastal Trail and Coastal Access signs.

Coastal Access and CA Coastal Trail Logos
Santa Claus Lane Streetscape

Santa Claus Lane
Streetscape, Path & RR
Crossing

The County of Santa Barbara is working on pedestrian, bike, and coastal improvements along Santa Claus Lane. This project includes a bike path from Sandpoint Road to Padaro Lane, a roundabout at the east end of Santa Claus Lane, a new legal crossing for beach access, and enhanced parking along Santa Claus Lane. The County is also seeking funding to create permanent bathrooms.

The City of Carpinteria and the County worked with Caltrans and SBCAG on a Class I bikeway that connects Santa Claus Lane to Carpinteria Avenue. This closed a gap in the California Coastal Trail between Sandpoint Drive and Carpinteria Avenue. This enables bicyclists and pedestrians to travel between Santa Claus Lane and Carpinteria.

Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara is a project undertaken by Caltrans and SBCAG in cooperation with local agencies to add a new carpool lane in each direction between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. The project will improve bridges, interchanges, on- and off-ramps, and add sound walls.

City of Carpinteria, California County of Santa Barbara, California City of Santa Barbara, California