“The 101 is almost done.”
As the sun broke through the coastal clouds on Friday afternoon, this motto stirred excitement among the crowd. Perched atop Ortega Hill with sweeping views of Highway 101 and the Pacific Ocean, elected officials and transportation partners gathered to cut a ceremonial ribbon and celebrate the completion of the Padaro and Summerland segments of the Highway 101 widening project.
Seven miles of new carpool lanes north- and southbound, six new bridges increasing water flow, 16 rebuilt on- and off-ramps, and six new sound walls will now provide remedies to traffic congestion between Carpinteria and Summerland. This corridor, which originally featured two lanes per direction, also incorporates a new Blue Star Memorial Highway honoring World War I veterans as well as a new Santa Claus Lane bikeway.
Marjie Kirn, the executive director for the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), spoke of the collaboration that went into transportation improvements. They require strong partnerships between local, state, and federal leaders, all working together for the Central Coast community, she said…