Santa Maria
Downtown Streetscape Pedestrian Enhancements
Post-Construction Project Overview
July 17, 2024
The Clean California Beautification Program was created to advance equity in underserved and disadvantaged communities by implementing transformative beautification projects along the State Highway System that improve safety and transform dividing highways into spaces that unify communities.
Special funding was set aside by the California State Legislature to beautify and improve the aesthetics of public places by constructing projects that reduce liter, enhance public health and well-being, strengthen cultural connection, and engage in community placemaking.
Twelve locations spread across five counties in Caltrans District 5 were selected based on program criteria defining underserved and disadvantaged communities.
Clean California Beautification Projects followed a streamlined project delivery process which resulted in being out to construction in record time, stimulating job creation and advancing local economic prosperity.
Clean California Beautification
Program Goals
❖ Reflect a culturally rich environment that displays community character through public art and design elements
Community Planning Goals
❖ Promote a safer , inviting and more pedestrian-oriented streetscape
❖ Reinforce the theme of downtown by creating a space that is unique and identifiable
❖ Enhance the streetscape to help make the area more walkable and encourage people attending events to stay and walk around downtown
• Santa Maria General Plan
• Downtown Specific Plan (Town Center District)
• Downtown Multimodal Streetscape Concept Plan
• Caltrans Mainstreet Guide
Reference Documents
• Santa Maria Art
Master Plan
Community Engagement
❖ 2/8/22 – Caltrans presented proposed project elements to City of Santa Maria representatives
❖ 3/23/22 – Caltrans presented 6 options of crosswalk designs to the Downtown Revitalization Committee, top 3 choices were selected ❖ 3/28/22 – The Public Art Committee provided input on the crosswalk designs selected by the Downtown Revitalization Committee; top 3 choices were selected
❖ 4/12/22 – The Recreation and Parks Commission was shown the crosswalk designs
❖ 8/3/22 – Caltrans selects final design based on concurrence from Caltrans Traffic Safety and FHWA
❖ 9/20/22 – City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks provides Caltrans with artwork for Decorative Metal Banners
Beautification Project
Design Elements
❖ Decorative Metal Banners
on Light Poles
❖ Decorative Crosswalks
❖ Median Island Infill Planting
and Hardscape
❖ Pedestrian Overcrossing
Uplighting Enhancement
Decorative
Pedestrian Crosswalks
❖ Locations:
8 Crosswalks at the intersections of Cook Street and
Main Street on SR135 (Broadway)
❖ Material:
Ennis-Flint® by PPG Traffic Patterns® Anti-skid
Preformed Thermoplastic
❖ Maintenance:
Caltrans to maintain white transverse lines, City to
maintain decorative treatment
Decorative Pedestrian Crosswalks
Intersection of Broadway (SR135) and Cook Street “Before” Decorative Pedestrian Crosswalks
Intersection of Broadway (SR135) and Cook Street “After”
Decorative Pedestrian Crosswalks
Drone Photo of Intersection of Broadway (SR135) and Cook Street “After”
Median Island Hardscape and Infill Planting
“Before”
“After” with decorative colored paving
Agave, Sea Lavender, Strawberry Tree; decomposed granite and wood mulch
Decorative Metal Streetlight Banners
Designed by Sasha Hernandez, Graphic Artist, City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department
Pedestrian Overcrossing Uplighting Enhancement
Enhanced Pedestrian Overcrossing
Thank you!
Caltrans Contacts: