US-101 HOV & Rehabilitation Projects

Mark Thomas led the design of a six-mile segment of the US 101 HOV Lane Project between the Cabrillo Boulevard and Padaro Lane interchanges, as part of Santa Barbara County’s top-priority Measure A project. Working closely with SBCAG, Caltrans District 5, and the CM/GC contractor, Mark Thomas completed the 30% Decision Point Document (DPD) to guide further design and coordinated with Caltrans on corridor-wide services such as geotechnical and survey. Upon completion of the DPD, Mark Thomas was selected to prepare final PS&E for Segment 4C and recently submitted 100% PS&E, with Segments 4D and 4E now underway.

The $350 million segment included complex design elements such as median and outside widening, interchange reconstructions at Cabrillo Boulevard and Sheffield Drive, bridge replacements in FEMA-designated floodplains, retaining walls along sea cliffs, and pavement rehabilitation. Mark Thomas also prepared Design Exceptions and Fact Sheets to support the PSSR, including cost-saving measures such as reduced median and shoulder widths. Additionally, Mark Thomas provided master planning and construction documents for the Santa Barbara Coastal Parkway, integrating local architectural and landscape character while coordinating with Caltrans to maintain safety, constructability, and drought tolerance standards.