101 widening project impacts some neighborhoods more than others

CARPINTERIA, Calif.

People who live on Cramer Cir. in Carpinteria don't need early morning alarm clocks, they usually wake up to Caltrans workers working on a widening project. They work overnight, too.

"It is pretty obnoxious cuz we got people working from home in our house on computers and stuff just shakes the whole house trying to fall asleep at night pretty loud," said Daniel Williams who lives in the home closest to the 101 Freeway.

Only a chainlink fence separates the homes from the widening equipment and northbound lanes.

There have been some close calls. A truck hauling fertilizer overturned in February.

Dale Olivas said it just missing a home and trailer parked nearby.

"That woke up the neighborhood. It actually closed down the 101 but it did not hit the house that was a good thing that was a little spooky and there was chemicals in there so they had to have hazmat, said Olivas.

Neighbor said they also deal with a lot of dust.

There used to be hedges blocking the view.

"We have been living with it now for two years so before there were hedges and took all The hedges down whichih was pretty lame premature It will be nice to not see it let alone not hear it," said Patrick Gordon.


Rudy Mora was working on a home in the neighborhood when he asked about a sound wall.

"It would be better with a wall so we can cut the noise. “.

Kirsten Ayers of Ayers and Associates said this a joint project between Caltrans and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments that is actually ahead of schedule.

"We are working on 4 new sounds walls in Carpinteria on the northbound side. Those will be under construction for a number of months. "

She said the wall by Cramer Cir. will have blocks going in this month and next.

One residents said he hopes to have a backyard barbecue when it is complete.

Ayers said they showed the Montecito Association plans for the next portion of the project through Montecito on Tuesday afternoon.

People can sign up for updates at www.SBROADS.com.