SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — Granite Construction has secured a $114 million contract from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to deliver a key segment of the long-running Highway 101 expansion project, further advancing one of the region’s most significant transportation infrastructure upgrades.
.webp)
The award covers Segment 4E North of the Highway 101 Carpinteria to Santa Barbara Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) program — the final mainline segment in the multi-year effort to modernize an 11-mile corridor aimed at improving safety and reducing congestion along one of California’s busiest coastal routes.
Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with completion targeted for December 2028.
Under the contract, Granite will replace existing lanes and construct a new peak-period carpool lane in each direction between Hermosillo Road and Salinas Street. The work represents a critical step toward completing continuous high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) access through the corridor.
The scope also includes a full reconstruction of the Cabrillo Boulevard interchange — a major traffic node in the area — where the existing configuration will be replaced with new infrastructure designed to enhance traffic flow and safety.
Upgrades will feature two new bridges and the replacement of existing left-hand freeway ramps with safer right-hand ramps. In addition, plans call for a teardrop-shaped roundabout at the Cabrillo Boulevard intersection with northbound Highway 101 ramps, aimed at reducing congestion and improving vehicle movement through the interchange.
The project includes significant materials production and on-site construction operations, underscoring the scale of the work and the opportunity for subcontractors and suppliers.
Granite’s Santa Paula hot plant is expected to supply approximately 15,700 tons of hot mix asphalt. An on-site batch plant will produce around 7,000 cubic yards of concrete, utilizing aggregates sourced from the company’s Bee Rock quarry.
Additionally, Granite plans to generate about 30,000 tons of recycled aggregate base on site using a portable crusher, reflecting broader industry trends toward sustainable construction practices and material reuse.
The new contract builds on Granite’s ongoing involvement in the Highway 101 expansion program. In August 2024, the company was awarded a $38 million contract for Segment 4E South, which includes adding peak-hour HOV lanes and reconstructing portions of the existing highway.
Together, the projects position Granite as a key delivery partner in completing the corridor-wide upgrade.
Granite regional Vice President Larry Camilleri emphasized the importance of the latest award within the broader program.
“We are proud to be part of this landmark effort with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and Caltrans to complete the final mainline segment in the 11-mile corridor,” Camilleri said.
For contractors, subcontractors and suppliers across California, Segment 4E North represents a substantial pipeline of work spanning multiple disciplines, including roadway construction, bridge building, earthwork, paving and materials production.
.webp)
The broader CM/GC program also highlights the growing use of collaborative delivery models in large-scale infrastructure projects, allowing for earlier contractor involvement, improved cost control and streamlined project execution.
Once complete, the Highway 101 Carpinteria to Santa Barbara program is expected to deliver enhanced mobility, reduced travel times and improved safety for commuters and freight traffic along the heavily traveled coastal route.
As California continues to invest in major infrastructure upgrades, projects like this underscore the sustained demand for skilled labor, materials and construction expertise across the state’s transportation sector.
This article is based on reporting by Anwesha Pattanaik, originally published by World Construction Network. Read the original article here: https://www.worldconstructionnetwork.com
.png)
.png)
