Old San Marcos Road Closed to Through Traffic, Section of Highway 154 Remains Closed

Update by the edhat staff

The County of Santa Barbara Public Works has closed Old San Marcos Road to through traffic amid the construction on Highway 154.

Old San Marcos is currently only open to residents and CHP will issue citations to non-residents who evade the closure signs, according to Public Works.

“Trucks longer than 30 feet will get stuck at switchbacks and should never travel on the road,” stated Public Works.

ROAD CLOSURE: Old San Marcos Road is closed to through traffic and is open only to residents. Trucks longer than 30 feet will get stuck at switchbacks and should never travel on the road. @CHP_SantaBarb will issue citations to non-residents who evade the road closure signs. pic.twitter.com/sZywwIgLYu

— COSB Public Works (@COSBPublicWorks) June 29, 2024

Highway 154 remains closed in both directions from San Antonio Creek Road to Painted Cave Road due to roadway cracking extending across all traffic lanes.

A soft closure has been established at State Route 192 in Santa Barbara and at the Highway 154/State Route 246 Roundabout in Santa Ynez allowing access to local businesses.

A drilling operation, as part of a grouted dowel stabilization approach continues 24 hours a day with two 12- hour shifts. This drilling operation includes the insertion of vertical dowels 40 feet deep below the highway.

An operation to insert horizontal dowels beneath the highway is expected to begin this weekend.  In addition, monitors have been inserted into the slope to monitor sub-surface movement.

Upon completion of the drilling, Caltrans will monitor pavement conditions before making any determination about re-opening the highway.  It is not known at this time when this may occur or when Hwy. 154 will re-open.

The primary detour during this closure is US 101 and State Route 246.

The cracking of the roadway occurred within the work zone of an ongoing emergency project to repair a slip-out due to winter storms this past season.

Related Articles

CHP Warns Drivers of Oversized Vehicles to Avoid Old San Marcos Road

Highway 154 Closed Near San Antonio Creek Road Due To Roadway Cracking

Traffic Control On Highway 154 As Part Of Ongoing Emergency Slip Out Repair Project