Two new roundabouts finished in the Montecito-Santa Barbara area

MONTECITO, Calif. – Two roundabouts have been finished for commuters in Montecito and Santa Barbara to ease what were often slower travel points where stop signs were in place.

One is on Olive Mill Road at Coast Village Road and connects with ramps for Highway 101 and also a link to North Jameson Lane.

The other is on San Ysidro Road a block away at North Jameson Lane and Highway 101.

The projects have been a joint effort for Cal Trans, the County of Santa Barbara, the City of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments.

There were many community meetings prior to the construction and information provided to the community throughout the process.

The roundabouts have been in use for weeks, but the final fine-tuning has been taking place with signage, landscaping and lighting.

The roundabouts are expected to make it easier for commuters to get around on their daily tasks and have access to businesses without on going congestion.

Montecito resident David Evans was on a walk with his wife and said, "I think it's an improvement. It's certainly big they made a big circle out of it."

It's in an area where there's a lot in motion at all hours.

Coast Village Association Executive Director Beth Sullivan said, "there's a beach, there's two hotels, there's a private club, there's coastal village road and the merchants, and there's the residents and the freeway."

 A visitor who lives in a town with a roundabout says in time it will be a good fit. "They put one in where I live and I thought it was dumb but it turned out to be a good thing. It takes awhile for people to get educated and then, and then it works,"  said Tom Sheehan.

For many drivers said patience is the key.

Donna Fellows lives nearby an said, "I think people don't understand them. I've lived in other places that have had one."

Terry Underwood is a resident who has lived in other countries with roundabouts. He says rivers here need to understand how to go through the roundabouts in a safer way. "People don't know how to yield how to get in. I would say once every two weeks someone nearly hits me in one."

One reason why this project had to be done now is when the freeway widening project comes through this area all the over flow will be able to come through here efficiently.

The second roundabout has users commenting aobut its shape with is not exacltly circular.

 Fellows said "It's the one in San Ysidro that throws me off because it's not a circle."

Underwood agreed, "This one is fine and this one  is terrible. Yeah. Too many ins and outs. "   

 Landscaping and final touches have been taking place all week as they get ready for the ribbon cutting Thursday morning. The area will be seen as a gateway to Santa Barbara with a welcoming look.

Sullivan said, "we love the roundabout and its potential. We look forward to landscaping and having a new sign with our new branding for Coast Village. Welcome to Coast Village and really feel that we want the residents, the locals, the tourists and the businesses proud to see the improvement."

It is also important to have the roundabouts in place prior to the expansion plans for Highway 101 through the area in the next few years.

A special ribbon cutting will take place Thursday morning to celebrate the completion of both roundabouts.

(More details, video and photos will be added here later today.)