A decades long multi-million dollar project to widen the 101 freeway on the South Coast is ready for the next phase of construction.
The Highway 101: Summerland project begins construction on Sunday night, to add peak-period carpool lanes between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara.
It’s the second of five segments under construction as part of the $89 million project to widen the 101 to three lanes in each direction at Summerland.
Santa Barbara County Supervisor Gregg Hart says he hopes disruption to drivers will be minimal.
"There will be traffic impact...but CalTrans is committed to keeping both lanes open all the time during construction," Hart says.
"It shouldn't have a dramatic impact on freeway congestion. This project is intended to address that in the long term and make things much better," he added.
The project will also include new bridges and undercrossings, updated on and off ramps, and drainage improvements.
