Voter-Approved Measure A to Fund Road Repairs, Transit and School Safety

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments adopts five-year plan with $257 million in transportation investments through 2030, including $52 million for projects countywide by 2026.

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Board of Directors adopted an annual five-year transportation program funded by Measure A, the county’s voter-approved half-cent sales tax. The plan outlines $257 million in transportation investments through June 2030, including $52 million for projects this year to June 2026.

From road repairs and safer school routes to expanded transit options and local street improvements, every city and unincorporated community in Santa Barbara County will benefit from Measure A’s local funding.

Communities receiving funding include Buellton, Carpinteria, Goleta, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Solvang, and the County’s North and South unincorporated areas.

“Measure A reflects the trust voters placed in local government to deliver transportation projects that matter to them,” said SBCAG Chair and Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse. “This program shows how every taxpayer dollar is being reinvested into our communities—whether that’s filling potholes, improving sidewalks and bike lanes, or ensuring seniors and students have access to safe, affordable transit.”

In Orcutt, a planned active transportation project by the County of Santa Barbara that benefits nearly 7,000 students across 13 schools is among the efforts supported by Measure A this year.

“Measure A is delivering real results- fixing roads, addressing traffic and improving safety,” said SBCAG Vice Chair and County Supervisor Bob Nelson. “Going forward, I’m committed to ensuring a fair balance between North and South County so every tax dollar is not only spent efficiently, but also equitably.”

Across the county, a majority of local funds will go toward pavement, road, and bridge maintenance, while at least 19 percent will support alternative transportation projects like sidewalks, bikeways, and Safe Routes to School. Cities and the County can also use Measure A to leverage state and federal grants, effectively doubling their investment in community improvements.

In addition to local projects, the plan commits a portion of Measure A funds to regional priorities such as Highway 166 safety improvements, commuter and passenger rail, Highway 101 widening in the south coast, public transit and paratransit services, carpool and vanpool programs, and interregional commuter bus routes.

Measure A was approved by 79% of Santa Barbara County voters in 2008. Now in its 15th year, the program has generated stable local revenue to address the county’s transportation needs while reinforcing transparency and local control. Only projects listed in the approved Program of Projects may receive Measure A funds.

The complete Program of Projects with detailed lists by city and region is available on SBCAG’s website at www.sbcag.org, or by contacting SBCAG at (805) 600-4477 or info@sbcag.org.

ABOUT MEASURE A

Measure A is Santa Barbara County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation. Measure A was approved by Santa Barbara County voters in 2008 with 79% approval. The measure will generate approximately $1 billion (2010 dollars) in revenue over a thirty-year period from 2010 to 2040 for transportation projects in Santa Barbara County.

The measure calls for North County and the South Coast of the county to each receive 43.3 percent of revenues, or an estimated $455 million, generated over the 30 years. The measure is in effect for high-priority transportation projects and programs. The highest priority project in the Measure A program, the widening of U.S. 101 on the South Coast of the county, will receive 13.4 percent of revenues generated, estimated at $140 million (2008 dollars), which will be used to match an estimated $285 million in state and federal funding to fully fund the project.

As the Local Transportation Authority, SBCAG is responsible for allocating Measure A transportation sales tax revenues to local agencies, transit operators and state highway projects that are identified in the Measure A Ordinance and Investment Plan. Allocations are made according to the delivery priorities for projects and programs in the updated Measure A Strategic Plan adopted in December 2020.