Highway 101 on-ramp expected to reopen first week of February in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The southbound Highway 101 on-ramp is expected to reopen the first week of February in Santa Barbara.

Cal Trans says emergency repairs are underway in order to reopen the on-ramp the week of February 3, 2020.

The Turnpike Road Highway 101 on-ramp was closed due to a sinkhole located between the on-ramp and the right shoulder of the southbound lanes.

The sinkhole was discovered on December 27, 2019.

The on-ramp has been closed since to ensure the safety of the public.

Caltrans began work under an emergency contract on Friday with construction planned seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Construction activities will include replacing the entire length of the deteriorated corrugated steel pipe at depths of up to 40 ft. below the surface.

Cal Trans says the reopening of the on-ramp is dependent if the weather is permitting.

Cal Trans encourage motorists headed southbound to enter Highway 101 at South Patterson Avenue or State Street.

Cal Trans says drivers can expect delays not to exceed 10 minutes.

Santa Barbara's Granite Construction is the contractor for this $1 million project.

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