Architectural board endorses design refinements for Highway 101 Segment 4E North; no formal action taken

The Architectural Board of Review on April 1 reviewed design refinements for Segment 4E North of the Highway 101 HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) improvements and offered generally favorable feedback, but did not take a formal vote on approvals.

The board’s review covered bridge column placement and capitals, slope paving and cobble mix, truck-apron material, splitter-island material, retaining-wall cap color and texture, bridge barrier staining, landscaping changes at the Cabrillo roundabout, and the proposed use of a thicker, patina-stained metal beam guardrail to match other corridor segments. Fred Luna of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments told the board the team has completed a 100% plan package and aims to secure construction funding in early 2026 and begin construction in March 2026.

The board’s comments focused on visual coordination with nearby corridor elements and pedestrian safety. Christine Anderson of Mark Thomas (consultant team) described design changes made after a constructability review, including aligning the bridge columns with the structure (eight exterior columns, 4-by-4 feet each, with two skewed to match the roadway skew) and adding column capitals "similar to Cacique." She also described changes to slope paving and a proposed switch to the Los Patos roundabout truck-apron treatment for improved truck turning, different grout depth and sealed cobble finish.

Why it matters: Segment 4E is the last portion of an 11-mile HOV lane project between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. The changes under review are constructability-driven refinements to a plan that previously received project design approvals for other subsegments; the board’s guidance shapes the visual and pedestrian interface of the corridor where the project crosses Cabrillo Boulevard.

Key details and board direction

- Columns and capitals: Board members responded positively to aligning columns with the bridge structure and to adding capitals. Project staff said the skew on eight exterior columns is aesthetic and not structural.

- Slope paving and cobbles: The project team proposed a mixed Santa Barbara sandstone slope paving with about 10% larger, flatter sandstone boulders interspersed; the board supported the modified mix and the reduction in large boulder coverage compared with earlier designs.

- Truck apron and splitter islands: Because of truck-turn requirements the team proposes the Los Patos roundabout truck-apron treatment through the raised median under the Cabrillo structure; the board supported matching the Los Patos treatment for consistency.

- Retaining-wall cap color/texture and bridge curb: Staff told the board the bridge curb (integral to bridge concrete) must remain plain gray concrete. For retaining-wall caps the board expressed a preference that the caps match the tan color/texture of the retaining wall below (Mission Creek form-liner texture), with the bridge curb remaining gray to match other corridor bridge curbwork.

- Bridge barrier and transition: Flood-control requirements call for an open-style barrier at the north end near a bird refuge; staff proposed a thicker, patina-stained metal beam (ThrieBeam) to match corridor continuity, and the board supported that approach.

- Landscape and pedestrian safety: The team shortened and pulled back portions of retaining walls adjacent to Old Coast Highway to allow more planting and visibility at stairways; the board supported the revised landscape and the added 5-foot planter strip intended to improve pedestrian safety.

Quotes

"Our overall goal being that we want to get this project funded in early next year and then start construction in March of 26," Fred Luna said, summarizing the project schedule.

Christine Anderson (Mark Thomas) said the team "randomized the placement of flatter boulders" in slope paving and proposed mixed sizes of Santa Barbara sandstone to maintain a consistent exposed-abutment appearance.

Board feedback and outcome

The board went through the project team’s eight-item checklist and provided affirmative comments or confirmation on each item during the review. No formal vote was required for this in-progress review; the board’s feedback was recorded as consensus guidance to the project team. Staff said they expect to return to the board as remaining constructability items are resolved.

Clarifying details

- Segment: 4E North (complements 4E South, which previously received final approval). - Project approvals mentioned: CDP approved by the Planning Commission 12/21/2023; project design approval for full segment noted 04/15/2024; 4E South received final approval 05/13/2024 and review-after-final 12/09/2024. - Construction schedule target: funding sought early 2026; construction start targeted March 2026. - Materials: proposed switch of truck-apron cobble and grout to match Los Patos roundabout; slope-paving mixture of Santa Barbara sandstone with ~10% flat sandstone boulders and graded cobble sizing (50% 6–8 in, 25% 8–10 in, 25% 4–6 in as described by the team).

What’s next

Staff and the project team said they expect to return to the board in the next few months with additional refinements identified during constructability review. The board’s comments centered on visual consistency with corridor precedent, pedestrian visibility, and maintainability of the proposed materials and barriers.