Edhat StaffSource: Santa Barbara County Association of Government (SBCAG)
May 16th, the California Transportation Commission unanimously voted to fully fund SBCAG & Caltrans’ $184 million SB1 state grant application for the 101 HOV Project. The CTC meeting in San Diego is the highlight of a string of great news for SBCAG’s “lane & train” solution to traffic congestion in the 101 corridor. Here’s a list of the major SBCAG accomplishments in the past two months.
- March 25, 2018 – The California Transportation Commission votes to allocate $226 million to 101 HOV Project
- April 2, 2018 – New Ventura to Santa Barbara peak hour rail service begins
- April 18, 2018 – Judge Anderle discharges the last remaining legal challenge to the 101 HOV Project EIR.
- April 26, 2018 – The California Transportation Agency allocates $22 million to SBCAG sponsored rail & transit grant funded projects and an additional $148 million in LOSSAN rail projects that benefit our region.
- May 16, 2018 – California Transportation Commission allocates an additional $184 million to fully fund the next three segments of the 101 HOV project from Carpinteria north into Montecito.
The combined total of all these new SB1 funded state grant awards is an impressive $431 million dollars for SBCAG’s “lane & train”. The residents of Santa Barbara County and the traveling public who use the 101 corridor will benefit for decades to come from the transportation investments this state grant funding will construct.
Marjie Kirn, SBCAG’s Executive Director. Said “I am honored to work with the outstanding elected officials on the SBCAG Board and the SBCAG and Caltrans staff who have worked all these many years to move the 101 HOV and rail projects forward to make this moment possible. With this new funding in hand we can continue the new carpool lane north as fast as possible and go back to the CTC in two years to request the funding to complete the new lanes through Montecito and Santa Barbara and finish the project”.
“We are very pleased that SB1 funding will help deliver this important safety, congestion-relieving project along busy Highway 101 in southern Santa Barbara County,” said Caltrans District 5 Corridor Manager Scott Eades.
[On May 17], Phase 4 of the Highway 101: Santa Barbara to Mussel Shoals project was awarded $183 million in SB1 funds. The following Highway 101 corridor update contains more information on the freeway improvement projects, funding and EIR news, initial peak-hour train use, and $22 million in additional rail and bus funding.
Highway 101: Santa Barbara to Mussel Shoals
The Highway 101: Santa Barbara to Mussel Shoals project includes the widening of Highway 101 to three lanes in each direction. Eight of the 16 miles in this area have been widened. There are 4 project phases (see map above). Phase 4 is in development, Phase 3 is in construction, and Phases 1 and 2 are complete. New information on Phase 4 is below with background information on Phases 1 – 3 at the end of the email.
Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara (Phase 4)
Phase 4 has five segments (A – E) to speed up implementation and the opportunity to leverage state funding. See map below.
Funding Update
Phases 4A – C have been awarded $183 million in Senate Bill 1 (SB1) transportation funding. Phases 4A – C are fully funded with the award of SB1 funding, $184 million in State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) funds programmed by Caltrans, Measure A funds, and other funding already programmed by SBCAG.
SBCAG’s funding strategy for Phase 4 is to use local Measure A funds (the ½ cent transportation sales tax approved by Santa Barbara County voters in 2008) to leverage other funds. $76 million Measure A funds were used to leverage SB1 and SHOPP funding for Phases 4A – C. $77 million Measure A funds and the region’s state gas taxes will be used to leverage SB1 and other funds for Phases 4D & E.
EIR Update
On April 18th, the certified Revised Environmental Impact Report (REIR) was upheld by Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge Anderle. The ruling removes the final remaining legal hurdle to theHwy 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project.
The REIR was prepared by Caltrans in response to a lawsuit and writ that required additional information on traffic impacts to local intersections. The REIR was certified by Caltrans in October 2017.
Phase 4 Key Project Components (all are part of a “fix it once” approach)
- 10 miles of peak-hour carpool lanes northbound & southbound
- 2 new interchanges: Cabrillo Boulevard & Sheffield Drive
- 8 creek bridges with water flow improvements
- On and off-ramp improvements
- Sound-attenuating pavement
- Safety improvements
The following is a snapshot of Phase 4 segments. SBCAG and Caltrans have received funding for Phases 4A – C. Please visit the Phase 4 webpage to see maps of each area.
- Phase 4A (Carpinteria)
- Detailed design is at 95% and coastal permitting is underway; construction scheduled to begin in spring 2020
- Phase 4B (Padaro) & Phase 4C (Summerland)
- Detailed design and coastal permitting are underway; construction scheduled in 2021
- Phase 4D (Montecito) & Phase 4E (Santa Barbara)
- Preliminary design has been completed; coordination with local agency partners is ongoing, funding will be applied for in the next funding cycle
Peak-hour Rail
New, commute-hour Pacific Surfliner rail service between Ventura County and Carpinteria/Santa Barbara/Goleta began April 2, 2018. This new service provides a northbound train that arrives in Santa Barbara at 6:47 am and Goleta at 7:00 am, and a southbound train that leaves Goleta at 4:25 pm and Santa Barbara at 4:40 pm. This new service was made possible through the efforts of SBCAG, the California State Transportation Agency, and the Pacific Surfliner Joint Powers Agency (LOSSAN). It is funded jointly by SBCAG and the State. SBCAG is also funding connecting bus service to major employment locations in Santa Barbara and Goleta. Over the last several weeks, the train has carried an average of 130 to 150 commuters each day.
In April, SBCAG was awarded two grants totaling $22 million in funding from the Transit & Intercity Rail Capital Program. This will allow for the construction of a train station and additional parking in Goleta and expand Coastal Express bus service in support of the new peak-hour rail using battery-powered, charter-style coaches. Additionally, the Pacific Surfliner JPA was awarded $197 million to construct a number of key rail infrastructure projects north of Los Angeles and funding to operate one additional round trip that will serve Santa Barbara County.
Please visit the Lane & Train Solutions webpage for more information, tickets, and train schedules.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Highway 101: Santa Barbara to Mussel Shoals
The Highway 101: Santa Barbara to Mussel Shoals project improves Highway 101 by adding new peak-hour carpool lanes and incorporates needed upgrades to old infrastructure. The project has 4 phases.
- Phase 1 added two new lanes on the 101 from Santa Barbara to Montecito and was completed in 2012.
- Phase 2 added six miles of peak hour carpool lanes from Carpinteria to Mussel Shoals and was completed in 2015.
- Phase 3 replaces the Linden & Casitas Pass overpasses and adds local street improvements in Carpinteria. Phase 3 is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2019.
- Phase 4 will complete the remaining 10 miles of peak hour carpool lanes from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara and is scheduled to begin construction in 2020.
Please visit the updated www.SBROADS.com to see maps and information on the projects that make up the Highway 101: Santa Barbara to Mussel Shoals area. If you have specific questions, please email the project team at info@sbroads.com.
