Highway 101: Montecito project receives $52.8 million in state funding, construction to start next week
MONTECITO, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) announced Wednesday that the Highway 101: Montecito project just received $52.8 million in state funding to advance construction.
This funding also means that more construction work will start next week on the highway in conjunction with the San Ysidro Roundabout. Click here for a map of the roadway improvements.
SBCAG said this project will add a new peak-period carpool lane in each direction on the highway from the Romero Creek Bridge north to Olive Mill Road.
In addition, SBCAG said this project will create new on-and off-ramps as well as northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes (lanes connecting on-ramps and off-ramps to improve merging) between San Ysidro and Olive Mill Roads, and new bridges will be built over Romero, San Ysidro, and Oak Creeks.
“This important project will increase reliability for all travelers, allow for the efficient movement of goods and services within this important inter-regional corridor, and improve access to communities within Santa Barbara County,” said Caltrans District 5 Director Scott Eades.
The funding, allocated by the California Transportation Commission, will be handled by Caltrans and SBCAG.
Organizers said a significant portion of these funds came from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 leveraged by Measure A – the local transportation sales tax – along with $7,000,000 from Community Project Funding delivered by Congressman Salud Carbajal.
"As a veteran of local government, I know all too well the interlocking and cooperative relationship that federal, state, and other funding sources can have when it comes to meeting a critical need – especially for landmark projects like the 101," said Congressman Carbajal. "I'm proud to see that the funding that I secured in last year's federal budget–along with funding from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law–has paved the way for additional funding from the state help make this phase of 101 improvements a reality. This funding will help lower congestion, emissions, and stress for our commuters up and down the Central Coast."
In addition to this funding, Caltrans and SBCAG applied for Senate Bill 1 funding in hopes of securing more of the $277 million needed to fully fund the remaining construction through Santa Barbara.
An official announcement of awards is anticipated within the next month, according to SBCAG.
The Highway 101: Montecito project is a part of the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project.
