Next Phase of Milpas Street Operational Improvements Begins in January 2026

The Operational Improvements Project on Milpas Street near U.S. Highway 101 is entering its next phase, with new construction work scheduled to begin January 20, 2026, according to the City of Santa Barbara.

The project is located along Milpas Street near the southbound U.S. Highway 101 on- and off-ramps and is designed to improve traffic flow, enhance signal coordination, and support changes associated with the Highway 101 widening project.

Construction will focus on key intersections and ramp upgrades near Milpas and Hutash Streets. Improvements include traffic signal upgrades that will allow on- and off-ramp traffic to operate at the same time, reducing delays.

Crews will also construct a dedicated southbound left-turn lane from Milpas Street onto Hutash Street to streamline traffic movements. In addition, left turns from the hook off-ramp (second Milpas Street North, Exit 96A) onto Milpas Street will be removed.

Vehicles traveling south on Milpas Street toward the Waterfront will need to use the first Milpas Street off-ramp, Exit 96B.

As part of the project, additional traffic and safety changes are planned for spring 2026. During that phase, the median south of the U.S. Highway 101 underpass will be extended to the intersection of Milpas and Cacique Streets, and left turns from southbound Milpas Street onto eastbound Cacique Street will be permanently prohibited.

Additional improvements include new trees, traffic signs, striping, and pavement markings along Milpas Street.

These changes are intended to improve safety and prevent traffic backups from spilling from the off-ramp onto the Highway 101 mainline.

Construction on the project began in mid-September and is expected to continue into early 2026. During construction, drivers and residents should expect lane closures on northbound Milpas Street between Hutash and Cacique Streets, along with temporary detours for pedestrians and cyclists.

Several components of the project have already been completed, including concrete improvements on the east side of Milpas Street between Cacique and Hutash Streets, a new raised northbound bike lane with a direct connection to Alisos Street, and the installation of new traffic signal equipment. Paving work on Milpas Street between the roundabout and Calle Puerto Vallarta has also been completed.

The project supports the U.S. Highway 101 Widening, also known as the HOV Project, and aims to improve traffic flow along Milpas Street between the southbound on- and off-ramps to safely accommodate high traffic volumes. The city anticipates the project will be completed by mid-spring 2026.

Once completed, the improvements are expected to prevent dangerous queuing on Highway 101, reduce delays at major intersections, and improve signal coordination along lower Milpas Street. The addition of a raised bike lane and new trees is also intended to create a safer and more pleasant environment for cyclists and pedestrians, combining traffic efficiency with streetscape enhancements.