A public meeting is set for Wednesday on proposed passing lanes and other changes to make Highway 246 safer between Lompoc and Buellton.

Two improvement projects designed by Caltrans for the highway can be reviewed from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Lompoc City Council chambers at City Hall, 100 Civic Center Plaza.

“The environmental impact report has been drafted for the improvements, and what we want is public comment about what is in that document,” said Jim Shivers, Caltrans spokesman.

The public is invited to attend the meeting and receive information about the projects as well as view displays of what the projects will look like during and after completion.

The first project involves passing lanes and left-hand turnouts throughout a nine-mile stretch of highway between Purisima Road and Domingus Road.

“Given the nature of farming and agriculture in this area, it can cause a back-up of traffic when the equipment is traveling on the highway. We want to add passing lanes and left-hand turnouts in several locations to alleviate backup during rush-hour,” Shivers said.

The second project would add improvements to the intersection of La Purisima Road and Highway 246. The designs being considered are to either add a raised roundabout or create an intersection with traffic signals.

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“No firm schedule is on that project right now; we are still in the development stage,” Shivers said.

Shivers also commented that in a three-year period from September 2004 through September 2007 seven accidents — none fatal — occurred at the intersection. According to research by the Caltrans Traffic Operations, those figures are higher than the state standards for this region.

“The city of Lompoc really wanted four lanes ... but due to funding and environmental issues it wasn’t possible. However, the passing lanes and turnouts are a good compromise and will help with traffic safety,” said Larry Bean, Lompoc public works director.

The two projects would cost around $50 million, Shivers said.

Funding for the planning and design part of the project is through the state gas tax and the construction would be funded through Measure A, which is on the ballot in November, and future state gas tax. If passed by two-thirds of the voters, Measure A would continue a one-half percent sales tax in Santa Barbara County.

“If Measure A doesn’t pass, we will have to look at our contingency plan, which would mean the project would be completed in phases, depending on how much future state tax we are allotted,” said Fred Luna, project engineer for Santa Barbara County Association of Governments.

Luna also said Measure A is covering 40 to 50 percent of the cost of the projects.

Public comments are due by Aug. 15 to Caltrans, with construction bids in by September 2012 and completion of the project slated for spring 2015.

July 13, 2008