Lane closure on northbound Highway 101 slows commuter traffic from Carpinteria to Montecito

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – A single lane closure on northbound Highway 101 is heavily backing up commuter traffic from Bailard Ave in Carpinteria through Hot Springs Rd in Montecito.

Caltrans said this closure is in place because of emergency work, and as of 8:35 a.m. workers estimate reopening the northbound Highway 101 lane at 12:01 p.m. on Friday.

"This is emergency work and NOT planned," said Caltrans spokesperson Jim Shivers. "This morning, 4 a.m., it was discovered that there were chunks of debris on the shoulder of the highway, indicating a possible pothole."

Shivers said workers saw large trucks and smaller cars driving over a concrete slab that was loose and could be seen breaking apart and rocking.

"A lane closure was set up to allow for repairs to begin early this morning," said Shivers. "Two layers of asphalt are being poured before we can re-open."

Apple Maps said it would take nearly one hour to get from Bailard Ave to the Vons (now Pavilions) in Montecito, as of 8:40 a.m.

The traffic maps on keyt.com/traffic show the backroads in Montecito are also backed up as a result.

Click here to visit the Caltrans interactive map for updating road conditions.

This is a developing story. More information will be provided as updates come into the newsroom.

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