Which Highway 101 Exits Are Getting Renamed?

I was driving north on the 101 when I noticed that the “Summerland” exit is now called “N Padaro Lane.” Why? And are more signage changes in store? —W.

I ran the question by Kirsten Ayars, the project’s media representative:

The signs are getting standardized since some haven’t been updated likely since the freeway was built in the 1950s. Caltrans has updated its sign standards so that signs state the roadway name. The old “Summerland” was an example of a non-standard sign, as it was actually past Summerland on the southbound side and didn’t state the road name. There are some advance community signs but they are in addition to the street exit signs.

Probably the biggest difference will be that the signs will be overhead signs that meet state standards, so there are advance notice signs in addition to the exit signs. We’ve had some in the area but there were also a lot missing. Attached [below] is an example showing the advance sign for Sheffield Drive and the Lillie Avenue off-ramp. This sign also has the “Summerland” with it as it made more sense and the community feedback was that people wanted to see “Summerland” at the Lillie Avenue off-ramp.

This Lillie Avenue sign is one of the big changes, because the current sign says “Evans Ave” but the ramp gets off at “Lillie Ave.” This was also part of the community feedback in addition to meeting the current state standard—Summerland Citizens Association members and residents felt that the signs should depict the street the ramp exits onto (also what state standards use).

I pressed Ayars about whether a schedule exists of all future signs, because I suspect “Coast Village Road” will show up on the new Olive Mill Road sign (among other possible changes). Her reply:

The Montecito and Santa Barbara sign packages will be reviewed and modified or approved as part of each segment’s Coastal Development Permit application. These are reviewed by the Architectural Review Boards in each jurisdiction. Those segments are just now going through that process and haven’t been finalized yet. Carpinteria up to Summerland are the segments that are approved.

P.S. The graphic designer in me is dying to tighten up the leading between Santa Claus Lane and S. Padaro Lane in the sign pictured at top, which would greatly clarify the situation. As it is, the placement of the “1/2” midway between the two street names is expected to do all the work.

Got a question you’d like investigated? Email [email protected] or text 917-209-6473.

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Previous Burning Questions:
••• Why is so much of the Macy’s store empty?
••• Will Delta Air Lines ever reinstate service to Santa Barbara Airport?
••• Is the Music Academy of the West adding pedestrian gates?
••• Is the county really taking private property for trailhead parking?
••• Why does the Coast Village Road median look so bad?
••• Is Santa Barbara going to introduce residential compost bins?
••• When will Santa Barbara Junior High’s flagpole be replaced?
••• What’s the point of this light pole?
••• Why is the Hermosillo exit on the 101 closed?
••• Has Victor the Florist closed for good?
••• Why are the city’s parking lots scanning license plates?
••• What’s inside Paseo Nuevo’s State Street tower?
••• What’s the point of these markings on Laguna Street?
••• Why is there a giant red shoe off Highway 101?
••• Will the Dorinda Triangle ever get beautified?
••• Are we no longer allowed on the SBHS baseball field?
••• What does “SBTP” on this post mean?
••• What’s up with the “no e-bike” signs on local trails?
••• Why is Franceschi House in a holding pattern?
••• Why is there a train station inside this State Street storefront?
••• What’s happening with this derelict house in Summerland?
••• Is there a story behind Lucky Penny’s bell?
••• Why is there wood on some power lines?
••• Can you explain how sundowner winds work?
••• Why is there a pressure cooker attached to this utility pole?
••• What’s this concrete ramp thing on East Beach?
••• Why does “USA” get written on the street?
••• What are those poles in the ocean near the Ritz-Carlton Bacara?
••• Are people really allowed to set fires in the middle of Montecito?
••• What’s the story with the half-finished lot next to the Montecito Country Mart? 

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