Highway 246 Passing Lanes - Phase 2

The Highway 246 Passing Lanes project was one of several regional highway projects included in the 2008 Measure A Investment Plan and was described with the following purpose: "Improve the traffic safety and operations on Highway 246 between Buellton and Lompoc by adding passing lanes and turning lanes between Purisima and Domingos Roads". In 2018, SBCAG completed a first phase of safety and operational on Highway 246, which included a passing lane, channelization improvements and a highway profile correction. The work was performed in collaboration with Caltrans, with Caltrans being the implementing agency for environmental, design and construction, and SBCAG being a sponsor through Measure A and Regional Improvement Program (RIP) funds. The approval of the 2025 Measure A Strategic Plan in November 2025 by the SBCAG board, included a commitment to continue to advance the work on the "Final Four" projects remaining in the Measure A Investment Plan, all within the North County subprogram of Measure A. The "Final Four" includes three interchanges improvements in the Santa Maria area, as well as the Highway 246 Passing Lanes – Phase 2. Furthermore, in June 2026, the SBCAG North County Subregional Planning Committee, with purview over the North County Program of Measure A, voted to direct staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to retain the services of a consultant team to complete the Project Approval & Environmental Document (PA&ED) scope for a Phase 2 project. Please see the meeting link for offeror reference: North County Subregional Planning Committee - Jun 10 2026 - Agenda - Html. SBCAG is desiring that Phase 2 focus on safety and operational improvements on Highway 246 for approximately four miles between Hapgood (West) on the west to Domingos Road on the east.