Highway 101: Summerland added a peak-period carpool lane in each direction for 1.7 miles. The new lanes will open at the end of construction of the Highway 101: Padaro segment since Summerland is located between two construction areas.
At the Evans Avenue Undercrossing, a new bridge segment connects the freeway bridges and is accompanied by pedestrian, bike lane, and lighting improvements underneath Highway 101.
At the Sheffield Drive Interchange, new freeway bridges were built along with new right hand on- and off-ramps on southbound Highway 101 and improved northbound on- and off-ramps. The on-ramp at Wallace Avenue was replaced and a new retaining wall was added to accommodate the wider freeway.
There are also two new sound walls. Landscaping is ongoing.
Updated May 2023
The timeline is a reference tool to show construction and key closures.
Construction began in fall 2020 and will continue with landscaping throughout 2024.
Highway 101: Summerland added a peak-period carpool lane in each direction for 1.7 miles.
Greenwell Creek was enhanced along with drainage improvements near the freeway.
The Sheffield Drive Interchange was reconfigured with two new bridges and new on- and off-ramps on the right-hand side of the freeway lanes. The bridges have simplified arches with sandstone details under the structure and new landscaping by the intersection.
A new sound wall with clear panels on top to preserve ocean views was added by the Ortega Hill Bike Path.
The Evans Avenue Undercrossing was
upgraded with wider sidewalks, bike lanes,
lighting, and design elements.
The County of Santa Barbara is working on a variety of coastal access improvements in Summerland. At Wallace Road, coastal parking and pedestrian access to the beach will be enhanced. On Via Real, a multipurpose path will close a gap in the California Coastal Trail. The County is also looking to improve recreation facilities at Lookout Park that will be funded by the County.
Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara is a project undertaken by Caltrans and SBCAG in cooperation with local agencies to add a new carpool lane in each direction between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. The project will improve bridges, interchanges, on- and off-ramps, and add sound walls.
