Expect Lane Closures, Ramp Detours on Highway 101 Between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara

Work along the Highway 101 corridor between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara is underway this week as crews continue to work on several construction projects.

There will be lane closures, bridge work, and safety enhancements through March 7, 2026, according to the latest Highway 101 construction update.

In Santa Barbara South, crews will begin installing concrete block for the new sound wall, pave new lanes, install drainage improvements, add new electrical lighting connections, and continue installing overhead sign foundations.

In Montecito, crews will continue removing old pavement and upgrading storm drains. They will also continue work on approach slabs at the Romero, San Ysidro, and Oak Creek bridges.

Crews will also install erosion control and work on the safety barriers along the freeway and on the southbound on-ramp at Olive Mill Road and off-ramp at San Ysidro Road. 

Landscaping is complete in Padaro. Crews will now work on re-striping the lanes. 

Lane Closures

Speed limit is reduced to 55 mph for safety reasons throughout the construction areas. Planned closures during the update period include: 

• Northbound Highway 101: March 5, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. at S Padaro/Santa Claus Lane to N Padaro Lane.
• Southbound Highway 101: March 5, 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. at N Padaro Lane to S Padaro/Santa Claus Lane
• On ramp at Posilipo Lane: Closed until spring, drivers can use the southbound on-ramp at Sheffield Dr.
• On-ramp at Olive Mill Road: Closed until spring 2026 (consecutive ramp closure with the on-ramp at Posilipo Lane); drivers can use the detour on North Jameson Lane and the on-ramp at Sheffield Drive.
• Off-ramp at Spring/Olive Mill Rd: Closed until spring 2026, drivers can use the off-ramp at San Ysidro Road.

Since crews will be constructing an ADA-compliant ramp at the intersection of Coast Village Road and Hermosillo Road, Hermosillo Road will be closed at the intersection with Coast Village Road during the construction phase. 

Segment Work Updates

Santa Barbara North: Construction between Hermosillo Road and Salinas Street will begin this spring.

Santa Barbara South: This segment is located between Olive Mill and Hermosillo Roads, with median work extending up to Cabrillo Boulevard for traffic lane shifts.

Southbound Highway 101: Crews will begin installing concrete block for the sound wall between the Butterfly Lane Undercrossing and Olive Mill Road and continue storm drainage improvements.

At the southbound off-ramp at Spring/Olive Mill Road, crews will continue working on storm drain improvements and the retaining wall.

Crews will continue grading, pave the base layer, then pour concrete for new freeway lanes, install new electrical connections for lighting, work on concrete safety barriers, and continue work on overhead sign foundations.

Montecito: This segment is located between Sheffield Dr and Olive Mill Road. 

At the southbound on-ramp at Olive Mill Road and off-ramp at San Ysidro Road, crews will install new cobblestone near the end of the southbound on-ramp at Olive Mill, place erosion control, build storm drain improvements, and work on concrete safety barriers and slabs. 

Padaro: This segment is located between S Padaro/Santa Claus Lane and N Padaro Lane. 

N Padaro Interchange: Concrete will be mixed on-site through March 7 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. By mixing concrete on-site, the project is expected to save an estimated 463,771 truck miles, reduce water use by 400,000 gallons, and save taxpayers between $10 million and $15 million.