New Orcutt gas station opens near accident-prone intersection

ORCUTT, Calif. (KEYT) - A long-planned gas station located at one of the busiest intersections in Orcutt has finally opened for business.

Orcutt Fuel welcomed its first customers Friday during a soft opening at the site, which features eight fueling stations and a 4,200-square-foot convenience store.

“It's been really, really nice," said Orcutt Fuel employee Traci Bradbury. "It's been nice and steady.” 

Located near the intersection of Lakeview Road, Orcutt Road, Skyway Drive and Highway 135, the project has been eight years in the making.

The owner Feras Mawas first applied to Santa Barbara County a proposal to build the station back in January 2018.

Following an extensive review and approval process, construction began last year, work recently wrapped up, allowing the station to finally open its doors.

"The family has worked many, many years to make this project a reality," said Bradbury. "There has been a lot of concerns with the intersection, but they got through the hurdles and they just wanted a top notch business for the community, so it's been a journey for the owners, but here we are now open."

The location on the southeast corner of the intersection has been a source of concern for some community members for years, largely because of the area's history of traffic collisions.

"It's an interesting location," said Rick Galanti, who lives nearby. "It's kind of hard to get in and out, so that's my main concern, really. "I know that there have been accidents here. I have a friend who's had accident right here trying to make the left here, not because of the gas station. It was just because this intersection is a tough one."

The station sits near the intersection of Skyway Drive and Lakeview Road at Highway 135, a stretch of roadway that has been the scene of multiple crashes over the years.

According to Santa Barbara County reports, the intersection has one of the highest accident rates in the county.

Difficult traffic patterns in the area in all four directions add to the challenge for motorists driving through the often contested intersection.

Orcutt Road runs parallel to Highway 135, with two stop signs positioned near the traffic signal at Skyway Drive and Lakeview Road.

The convergence of multiple roads and traffic controls has created longstanding challenges for drivers, even before construction of the gas station began.

"The reason why it's tough is because you have this lot here, but then you have a horizontal intersection, then followed by a light right there," said Galanti. "There's multiple cross sections that make it hard to get out and that's why I don't like this intersection that much."

While the intersection may difficult to maneuver through, especially during peak times in the morning and the evenings, some customers are excited to see the business open up and feel drivers will adjust to the traffic flow.

 "I think it's great," said Roberto Castaneda, who works near Orcutt Fuel. " I don't really see too much of a concern. I think it's a great location and I think everything's going to be fine. It's easy for us to come in just grab a quick coffee, fuel up. I think it's awesome."

According to Bradbury, the new business has created about 12 jobs, including those who work in different parts of the store.

Inside the convenient store is a deli, that serves a combination of hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, seafood dishes, as well as a coffee bar.

"It's a one stop shop," said Bradbury. "You can get your breakfast. You can get your lunch. You can get your dinner. You can get your treats. You can get your groceries. I know the owner is planning to make it really fun for the community, and I think the biggest thing is the owner and his family want the community to know is we're happy to be here and serve you."

Bradbury added a formal grand opening is expected to be held sometime in the month.

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