Many voice displeasure with traffic conditions, and wonder if roundabout is the right solution
What was meant to be a safety and informational meeting held by Caltrans officials on the upcoming improvements for Highway 154, most notably a roundabout planned for the highway and Foxen Canyon, turned contentious at times as the residents voiced their displeasure with traffic conditions, the slow process for improvements, and, for some, the idea that the roundabout was the best solution.
Caltrans held the meeting on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 3, at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopalian Church to explain the timetable for the project that would place a roundabout at the intersection of Foxen Canyon Road and Highway 154 to help slow down traffic on the 154.
Caltrans District 5 official John Olejnik welcomed a packed room to the meeting and pointed out they wanted to keep the dialogue open and have discussions about the roundabouts that began last December.
“We’re making an effort to be as transparent and open as possible, and to that end we’re meeting tonight,” he said.
Olejnik then introduced Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, who mentioned the presence of other elected officials in the Valley, such as Buellton Mayor Dave King and Solvang Mayor Mark Infanti. Also present was Carson Link, representative for State Senator Monique Limon.
Hartmann spoke of the timeline of getting to this point, as the process began when she was getting complaints about traffic accidents at Foxen Canyon and 154, which led to a neighborhood meeting in June of 2023, and again in December 2023, where Caltrans suggested multiple options to improve conditions.
“But now [Caltrans] have gone further and they’re going to propose a project for us,” she said. “And I think what you’ll find is that they’ve really taken to heart the community concerns.”
After Hartmann finished her introductory address, Olejnik and Project Manager Ben Jensen began the presentation for the Foxen Canyon/154 roundabout.
Olejnik said the roundabout was decided on after an online survey last year, which drew 375 reponses, showed that andusing flashing beacons to warn driving of potential cross-traffic were the most popular options.
Olejnik said a traffic safety investigation conducted by Caltrans determined that a 4-way stop would not be effective because of the traffic delays it would cause on the surface streets.
Later in the presentation, Jensen gave the timeline and said with project planning, design and environmental documentation, and permit process, the bidding and start of construction would probably not begin until 2027 or 2028, with a projected completion in 2030. The projected cost was given as $5 million to $10 million.
The floor was opened to questions from the audience and there were plenty.
One person asked about fixing the situation at Roblar Avenue, which is farther south on 154.
“We definitely need a 4-way stop there,” she said. “Here’s what you guys need to know, because I don’t know if you live here or not, but it’s a 20-car backup because some are afraid to cross over, and then you have people going too fast (on 154), and you get accidents like [the previous day] when a poor girl got here car crunched in a T-bone.
“Please explain why you can’t just put a 4-way stop in there like, tomorrow.”
Olejnik said they were conducting an investigation to see what was going on at the Roblar intersection, to which the resident answered back “Everyone in this room is telling you what’s happening.”
Another person who said he lived on the corner of Steel Street, next to Foxen Canyon Road said while a 4-way stop would help on 154, the cross streets would be backed up.
“The gridlock’s going to be like Solvang,” he said. “I won’t even be able to get out of my driveway. So why don’t you guy put in a control signal with speed bumps or breaker bumps alerting someone there’s going to be a signal there.”
Throughout the Q-and-A session many more issues were brought up, including the presence of semi-trucks on 154 and how to discourage those drivers from using that road; lowering the speed limit on stretches of 154; and how to speed up the process of highway construction. Many also had complaints that Caltrans was not doing a good enough job of keeping residents informed of road conditions and projects.
In many cases, comments got critical and somewhat heated, which prompted King, the Buellton mayor, to speak on behalf of the Caltrans officials.
“I feel your pain, I get what you’re saying,” said King, who serves on the county’s Highway 154 Safety Committee and is a retired California Highway Patrol officer. “I wore the same uniform as the two guys in the back. I worked 154 a lot and have probably written a ticket to one or two of you.”
“There’s couple things you have to take into consideration,” King continued. “Caltrans has to go by a set of rules that the state makes … they have rules that are set forth by them by the state of California and the legislator.”
What that means, King explained, is that many of the suggestions made during the meeting can’t be done immediately.
“You can’t just throw a stop sign on the road because you’ve perceived there’s a problem there,” he said. “Because these guys, once again, and this has not been said during this whole meeting, these guys have to go by a set of rules.”
For more information on Caltrans and their projects, go to dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5.
Feature image: John Olejnik, from Caltrans District 5, gives a presentation explaining the proposed roundabout on Foxen Canyon Road and Highway 154 during a safety meeting with Los Olivos residents on Thursday, Oct. 3. Photo by Mike Chaldu
