Work to improve road conditions at infamous Castillo Street underpass continue

Construction crews are at it again. A new project to improve deteriorating road conditions at the Castillo Street undercrossing in Santa Barbara is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 19, 2017.

The site has been problematic for years.

The $1.5 million emergency project will improve the condition of the pavement where seeping groundwater has damaged the existing pavers, which has resulted in a wet driving surface. The project is spearheaded by Security Paving of Sylmar, California.

Reinforced concrete slab will be installed three to four inches above the current pavement and the water that accumulates beneath it.

The project will see a full closure of Castillo Street from U.S. Highway 101 to the Union Pacific railroad tracks until the month of August.

The southbound on/off ramps to Highway 101 at Castillo Street will also be closed during the project.

During the project, motorists heading southbound may detour by exiting at Castillo Street or Garden Street. Local traffic near Castillo Street will detour onto State Street or Garden Street according to a Caltrans statement. Detour signs will be posted.

Caltrans said the long-term closure is necessary so the concrete slab will cure without car or pedestrian traffic interference.

All businesses will remain open during the project.