California drivers are getting used to a year filled with major transportation projects, road upgrades, and infrastructure improvements. Now, another significant project is set to impact one of the state’s busiest routes, bringing months of lane closures and traffic delays to a popular gateway for wine country visitors.
Motorists traveling on Highway 101 along the Central Coast through Buellton should expect a slower commute, as Caltrans has begun a major roadway reconstruction project that will reduce the freeway to a single lane in each direction through the Santa Barbara County community until spring 2027.
What to know about the Highway 101 shutdown
According to Caltrans, lane reductions are now in place along Highway 101 between the Nojoqui Creek Bridge and an area just north of Avenue of the Flags and Damassa Road in Buellton. The project is expected to continue through March 2027.
The construction is part of a $29.8 million rehabilitation project designed to preserve approximately 10 miles of Highway 101 in the region. Work includes:
- Replacing deteriorated concrete pavement.
- Resurfacing asphalt, reconstructing freeway ramps, and repairing drainage systems.
- Upgrading electrical infrastructure and rebuilding shoulders.
- Installing new guardrails throughout the corridor.
In addition to the lane closures, several ramps are temporarily unavailable. The northbound Damassa Road off-ramp and both northbound and southbound Santa Rosa Road ramps are expected to remain closed for roughly three months while upgrades are completed. Caltrans is directing motorists to use Highway 246 as a detour during the closures.
Officials say the repairs are necessary because sections of the roadway have deteriorated due to age, weather exposure, and drainage-related wear. Drivers can expect delays of up to 10 minutes while traveling through the construction zone.
The affected stretch runs through the Santa Ynez Valley, one of the state’s most visited wine regions. Highway 101 serves as the area’s primary transportation artery, linking communities, businesses, and popular tourist destinations.
