What’s the status of the last segment of the Highway 101 project, beyond Hermosillo Road—i.e. the intersection with Cabrillo Boulevard and Hot Springs Road? Is there a final design? Has the funding been identified? Is there an approved plan to widen the railroad underpass? Most importantly, what’s the projected completion date for a southbound 101 on-ramp? —D.
Fred Luna, director of project delivery and construction for Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, answered each question:
What’s the status of the last segment of the Highway 101 project, beyond Hermosillo Road? Is there a final design?
The last segment is currently in the final design phase. 95% of plans have been complete. Caltrans/SBCAG have our coastal development permit. Right of way, utility work, and railroad coordination are underway, and these efforts are anticipated to be complete by end of next year.
Has the funding been identified?
Yes, funding opportunities have been identified. The Caltrans and SBCAG team are currently in the process of submitting applications to fully fund this last segment through State Senate Bill 1 grants, along with other related improvements. Applications are due later this year, and award notifications are expected by June 2025.
Is there an approved plan to widen the railroad underpass?
I assume you are referring to the Cabrillo/Union Pacific Railroad underpass, and yes, the City of Santa Barbara has a project to replace that bridge. The replacement bridge will allow Cabrillo Boulevard to accommodate additional traffic lanes with improved roadway shoulders, multipurpose paths, and sidewalks.
Most importantly, what is the projected completion date for a southbound 101 entrance ramp?
The southbound on ramp at Cabrillo Boulevard is part of the SBCAG/Caltrans project where the interchange with 101 is reconstructed. Assuming we receive funding in June 2025, and design is complete at the end of 2025 as noted above, then construction is planned to start in spring 2026. The initial work to construct bridges and ramps, one of which will be to restore the Cabrillo southbound on ramp, will take up to two years. I would say that by summer of 2028, the Cabrillo southbound on ramp will be available.
SBCAG and Caltrans made a presentation to the Santa Barbara city council this week, with slides that illuminate the situation. The project is broken into two parts, Santa Barbara South (Olive Mill to Hermosillo) and Santa Barbara North (Hermosillo to past Salinas).
As recently noted, work is already starting on Santa Barbara South shoulders and median. Starting early next year, the northbound Hermosillo off-ramp will be closed for five months, and later in 2025, the southbound off-ramp at Olive Mill will be closed for eight months.
The big beast is the Cabrillo/Hot Springs interchange, where a new bridge will have lanes pushed together (instead of separated) and on- and off-ramps in both directions (and no more left exits).
Between Hot Springs and the beach, there will be three roundabouts in a row: the current one at Coast Village Road/Old Coast Highway, the new one at the interchange described above, and the one under construction at Los Patos Way. The latter is progressing nicely and should be done in coming months.
The railroad bridge component awaits funding, but when it’s done, Cabrillo Boulevard will be widened to accommodate a median, with turn lanes and a bike lane (er, multipurpose path) that hugs the cemetery below the roundabout. 
SBCAG and Caltrans have been very forthcoming with the public about timelines and impacts. If you don’t already receive the email updates, you can sign up at SBRoads.com.
Got a question you’d like investigated? Email [email protected] or text 917-209-6473.
················
Previous Burning Questions:
••• Why are there “no grading” signs on the Edison Catway?
••• Why are there pedestrian gates at train tracks?
••• Is this Summerland’s original train station?
••• What does the “S” on certain chimneys stand for?
••• What’s the status of the decommissioning of Rincon Island?
••• What happened to the gas flame on Highway 101?
••• What do we know about the proposed apartment complex at 1 Hot Springs Road?
••• What’s the history of this tower on Ortega Ridge?
••• What’s up with these sculptures on a hillside in Summerland?
••• Is there a master plan for the new walking paths in Montecito?
••• Why are the Thousand Steps still wet?
••• What’s happening with Sola Street?
••• Why are trees being cut down above the San Ysidro Ranch?
••• Why is this lot on Milpas Street still vacant?
↓↓↓ Where else do cruise ships that visit here go?
••• What’s happening with the Pepper Tree Inn?
••• What is this large memorial in Ennisbrook?
••• Who bought the former St. Mary’s seminary—and why?
••• What will happen to the SBPD building when the new building is completed?
••• How does the city decide to mark bike lanes?
••• What’s the story with this house on W. Cota Street?
••• What are those little houses on Santa Barbara Street?
••• What’s the point of this light pole near the freeway?
••• 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?
••• 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?
••• What’s happening with this derelict house in Summerland?
••• 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?
················
Sign up for the Siteline email newsletter and you’ll never miss a post.
Vanishing will be my favorite entry into SB via the left lane off ramp and then turning under the highway and Railroad bridge.
The existing architecture is a mishmash but a curiously welcoming one, and was for decades. The way of things. Be nice if the new concrete bridge was given a bit of character, was done at the 101 over State Street when that was rebuilt. Yes, it took another two? decades to improve the pedestrian walkways.
It is going to try the patience of all during the bridge construction. But I have memories of when the 101 through SB had traffic signals and a number of Car dealerships.
The project to widen freeway 101 must go into Guinness Book of Records as the Caltrans project that has taken longer to complete from beginning to end. I lived in China and they would have completed this entire project in under two years. What the state does not take into consideration is the negative impact the delays in this project have had on commerce and ordinary people’s lives. Clearly, time is not of the essence.