To proactively address the climate crisis, the City is committed to updating and implementing the recommendations for significant investments in projects and programs that improve access to sustainable transportation options for all community members. The City will continue to place greater emphasis on bicycles, pedestrians and transit in order to achieve a system of complete streets and a multimodal community. This interchange supports those efforts by providing separated cyclist and pedestrian paths on the overpass and by creating a shorter east-west link across Highway 101, which is projected to result in a net decrease in citywide vehicle miles traveled. 

In order to expand housing options for all, the City continues to facilitate the production of housing, including the necessary supporting infrastructure. The Prado Interchange will support these efforts by connecting housing developments and related commercial developments in the south-eastern and south-western portions of San Luis Obispo, creating an additional thoroughfare to improve connectivity for all road users.

This interchange will also provide the infrastructure necessary to support construction of additional housing throughout the southern half of San Luis Obispo as envisioned in the City's General Plan, including single-family, multi-family, low-income and assisted living units. In order to create these housing opportunities, our community needs to also connect community members in San Luis Obispo to important regional facilities, including the Regional Transit Center and 40 Prado Homeless Services Center. This project will help us create that connection.

Prado Interchange Aerial View

 When complete, this new interchange will benefit the whole community by reducing traffic congestion at the Madonna Road and Los Osos Valley Road interchanges. It will also reduce traffic congestion on arterial streets, including Los Osos Valley Road, Higuera Street, and Madonna Road.

The Prado Interchange must allow floodwaters to pass during major storm events, requiring the use of columns instead of retaining walls.

• Design increases construction costs
• Minimizes impacts to homes, businesses and highway