Southbound Highway 101 Traffic to Shift Between Montecito and Santa Barbara This Weekend

Due to the continuation of the construction of Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project, a key traffic change will be observed this weekend. Starting on the night of Saturday, July 12, 2025, the southbound traffic between Olive Mill Road and Posilipo Lane will be diverted to newly built median lanes separated by safety barriers, according to the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG).

Highlights

• The Highway 101 widening project commenced after the final funding was approved in June.
• On the night of Saturday, July 12, the southbound traffic between Olive Mill Road and Posilipo Lane will be diverted using medians and safety barriers.
• Biweekly update information can be found on the SBCAG website.

Southbound Traffic from Olive Mill Road to Posilipo Lane to be Diverted With Safety Barriers

This change comes as a result of the final funding approval of the project by the California Transportation Commission. The funding, which came through in June, was the last funding phase for the project and will allow completion of the addition of a third freeway lane in both directions between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. To know more about the funding approval, refer to this.

On Saturday night, the southbound off-ramps at Olive Mill Road and San Ysidro Road will remain closed temporarily. Several long-term closures will also follow. These include the southbound on-ramp at Olive Mill Road that will remain closed for approximately nine months and the southbound off-ramp at San Ysidro Road that will be closed for three months.

The update follows the recent reopening of the northbound lanes between Sheffield Drive and Hermosillo Road. Construction along the Montecito and Santa Barbara South segments will continue through 2026. Updates will include widening of bridges over Romero, San Ysidro, and Oak Creeks, installation of sound walls, new carpool lanes, ramp upgrades, and drainage improvements.

For biweekly construction updates, refer to the project’s website, call (805) 845-5112, or email info@SBROADS.com.