About the State Route 227 Multimodal Corridor Improvements Project
State Route 227 is a major thoroughfare used by residents, commuters, tourists, and agricultural trucks traveling between the Five Cities and the City of San Luis Obispo. Carrying about 15,000 vehicles daily, State Route 227 experiences recurring congestion and delay—particularly at intersections during the morning and afternoon commute hours. With concerns about congestion and safety, State Route 227 has been identified by SLOCOG and Caltrans as an important transportation issue that must be addressed.
The State Route 227 Multimodal Corridor Improvement will construct a series of operational improvements, including roundabouts at the intersections with Los Ranchos Road and Buckley Road, a minor operational improvement at Crestmont Drive, and a shared-use path between Airport Drive and Los Ranchos Road in the City of SLO.
State Route 227 Updates
Design Phase: Spring 2025-Spring 2027
As of spring 2025, this project has entered a design phase involving engineers and review from various oversight agencies. Over two years, this process involves:
- Plan development
- Cost estimates
- Peer and agency review
- Community input at a public meeting
- Plan refinements
- Final PS&E (Plans, Specifications & Estimates)
Timeline at a Glance
- Engineering design kick-off (Jan 2025)
- 30% design completion (Aug 2026)
- 65% design completion (Nov 2026)
- Two upcoming community meetings (Sept 1, Feb 2027)
- Final design complete mid-late 2027
July 15, 2026: Mark Your Calendar – Community Meeting Early September 2026
Why This Project Matters
- Traffic relief: Thousands of commuters use SR 227 each day. New improvements will help reduce congestion.
- Safety first: Roundabouts slow traffic, reduce severe crashes, and make crossings safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Community connections: The new Edna Valley Trail will provide a safe, convenient bike and pedestrian route linking neighborhoods, schools, and local destinations.
October 2, 2024: The final contract has been awarded for design of the State Route 227 Multimodal Corridor Improvements Project.J
March 11, 2024: SLOCOG awarded $850,000 in Federal Earmark funding secured by Congressmen Salud Carbajal towards the completion of a 1.2-mile bike and pedestrian pathway adjacent to State Route 227. Overseen by SLOCOG, this pathway aims to establish connections between local neighborhoods and key destinations such as Los Ranchos Elementary School.
Project Background
In 2015, the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) initiated a corridor study to develop solutions to growing congestion on State Route 227 between Tank Farm Road and Price Canyon Road. The study included analysis of the following two possible solutions for the corridor:
- Widening of State Route 227 to 2-lanes in each direction and upgrading the signals at various intersections
- Constructing a series of roundabouts at key intersections
SLOCOG held three workshops during the development of the study to gain input from the public regarding the two alternatives. To improve operations by relieving existing and future congestion, the study recommended constructing a series of roundabouts, starting with Los Ranchos Road as a priority project, followed by Buckley Road. The SLOCOG Board approved the operations study and technical appendices in January of 2017.
Questions?
Contact SLOCOG Transportation Planner Stephen Hanamaikai at [email protected] or (805) 788-2104.