Money for 246 Widening

One of Santa Barbara wine country’s main roads will get a little bit wider in the years to come, as the California Transportation Commission (CTC) just granted $3.4 million to add passing lanes on Highway 246 between Cebada Canyon and Hapgood roads near Lompoc.

The route cuts through the western end of the Sta. Rita Hills winegrowing appellation, connecting many of the rural vineyards to the urban wineries of Lompoc while serving as a popular route for wine-tasting crowds.

The CTC funding statewide, a $1 billion infrastructure allocation, also includes $87 million to help pay operating expenses for the Pacific Surfliner and San Joaquin passenger train services.