In-depth exploration of Foxenwood issues
Union Valley Parkway: A deeper look
by James Pepper
In 2001, the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors staff prepared an “Executive Summary” of the Union Valley Parkway extension project.
At that time, the project had already been in work for almost 40 years (the report says "mid-1970's," but that is 10 years off). As the report states, the parkway was originally intended to connect Highway 101 with Highway 1, but at the time of this report, just seven years ago, the parkway had been chopped off at Highway 135 (Broadway).
The staff report gives an excellent history:
"The Union Valley Parkway (UVP) has been envisioned by the County as an east to west connection from Highway (HWY) 101 to State Route (SR) 1 since the mid-1970’s. It is a key roadway link in both the Santa Maria’s circulation plan and the County’s Orcutt Community Plan."
A parkway by any other name . . . The following illustrates just how long this project has been around and how it has shape-shifted over the years—decades, actually.
"Originally named the East Expressway, this connection was to be a multi-lane, grade separated, access-controlled freeway with interchanges at SR 1, SR 135, and HWY 101. As development has occurred, several at grade connections have been constructed and more at-grade connections are planned along its reach including the connections SR 135, California Boulevard, Foxenwood Lane, and Orcutt Road.
"Consequently, UVP can no longer be considered a freeway and the roadway is now considered a major arterial within the current Circulation Element for the Orcutt Community Plan. The project is the construction of a new section of UVP between California Boulevard and Hummel Drive the Santa Maria/Orcutt area. The City of Santa Maria and the County are working jointly on this project with the City acting as the lead agency and the County in the role of responsible agency. The County portion is between Hummel Drive and SR 135. The City’s portion is between SR 135 and California Boulevard."
Notice that in 2001, the parkway was to end at California Blvd. (Highway 135).
The Union Valley Extension Project has been included in the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2000-2005. The Local Surface Transportation Program and Orcutt Transportation Impact Mitigation Fees will provide funding for County’s portion of the extension.
[For the complete report (only 3 pages) Click here. (19kb)]
Funding swap
In late 2006, a plan was hatched to “swap” federal funding of $3 million with other funding and re-target that money to the Union Valley Parkway, or in government-speak:
“. . . to program $2,979,496 in federal Regional Surface Transportation Program funds to the City of Santa Maria’s Union Valley Parkway Project in FY 08/09, and back out a like amount of state Regional Surface Transportation Program funds from the project for programming to local road rehabilitation projects in FY 06/07.”
To read the 11-page document, Click here. (335kb)
Oops!
In mid-2007, the Santa Maria Times published an article titled “Orcutt parkway plan hits speed bumps.” This is where the original plan to connect Highway 101 with Highway 1 fell apart, due to a little critter called a tiger salamander—well, not the actual creature itself, but rather tiger salamander “habitat.” For the nail-biting story, Click here. (17kb)
More to come? You bet!