101 Highway Updates – Yes, It’s Complicated

It’s not you, it’s them. You know, the construction on Highway 101. The once beautiful peaceful drive now best described by locals as, “Sorry-not-sorry I’m late [again], I took the 101, tried the side streets and well, it’s complicated. And yes, my car needs a daily bath.” That along with the recent logical rant, “We can’t help but wonder if while the 101 Highway construction is on, can the town roads and routes not also be under construction?!” Indeed, the unannounced town road closures all day [surprise! – no longer a short cut] to the 101’s highway lane closures at prime traffic times [starting at 6 pm!] and dangerously unmarked new lane dividers, have made it more than a local guffaw. 

To make it easy for Our Town readers, we dove through the longwinded details on the SB Roads website. Here are the Caltrans plans outlined so far.

Montecito: 

– Romero, Oak and San Ysidro creeks construction on new bridges installing underground bridge supports, building footings for the side supports, creek wing walls, and new storm drains

– Highway Northbound lanes and ramps construction including a new retaining wall and shoulder lane pavement. 

– Northbound off-ramp San Ysidro Rd safety barriers, drainage, fencing, guardrails.

– Northbound on-ramp San Ysidro Rd install road base, pave new ramp

– San Ysidro Rd on-ramp closed through mid-2025 use Sheffield Drive

– San Ysidro Rd off-ramp closed through December 2024 use Sheffield Drive

– Southbound off-ramp San Ysidro Rd install metal safety railing on concrete barrier

– Northbound Hixon to Olive Mill Rd divided lanes through 2025

– North Jameson Lane from Sheffield to Olive Mill flaggers to direct traffic around crews moving equipment Monday – Fridays

Closures: 

– Sundays 8 pm – 5 am and Monday-Thursdays 6 pm – 5 am Highway 101 down to one lane from Santa Monica Rd through Lillie Ave exit

– Everyday 8 pm – 7 am Padaro Ln highway area pavement grinding

– Sundays 8pm – 7am and Monday-Thursdays 7pm-7am Padaro Ln north and south off and on ramps closed

– South Padaro Ln Undercrossing bridge, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, lighting, irrigation

– North Padaro Ln Interchange concrete site mixing and recycling nonstop  

411: www.SBROADS.com, (805) 845-5112, or info@sbroads.com