COMMUTER UPDATE!

• The Orcutt Tank Farm Roundabout is officially open and serving all movements of traffic!
• NOTE: There is ongoing construction along Orcutt Road (part of the Righetti Ranch public improvements) that will continue the next few months, so drivers should still expect minor delays and drive with caution in the area.

Project Overview 

The Tank Farm Road and Orcutt Road Roundabout will include reconfiguration of the intersection from side-street stop-control to a four-legged roundabout. Features will include a drainage basin to capture stormwater runoff, landscaping, undergrounding of PG&E overhead facilities, and addition of physically separated paths and dedicated crossings for bicyclists and pedestrians. The roundabout improvements will connect with adjacent sidewalks recently constructed on Tank Farm and future sidewalks on Orcutt Road to be constructed as part of the Righetti Ranch development. The roundabout central island is designed and will be constructed to accommodate a future public art piece that will act as a gateway  into the City of San Luis Obispo. Click here to see the project design.

Pre-Project look at intersection:

The Tank Farm Road and Orcutt Road Roundabout is a critical transportation infrastructure project identified in the both the General Plan and Orcutt Area Specific Plan to improve traffic operations and safety at this high-volume intersection with the ongoing construction of new housing within the Orcutt Area. The roundabout will address ongoing congestion and vehicle queuing during peak commute periods, as well as provide dedicated crossings for bicyclists and pedestrians, improving multimodal connectivity between Islay Park and neighborhoods to the north. The Tank Farm Road and Orcutt Road Roundabout will include reconfiguration of the intersection from side-street stop-control to a four-legged roundabout. Click here to learn more about roundabouts. 

Example of improvement at Righetti and Tank Farm Roads:

Construction Milestone Dates*

• August 2021: Phase 1 Construction Groundbreaking & Early Site Preparation      
• September 2021: Phase 2 Work to Start (Tank Farm west of intersection closed to through traffic)
• March 2022: Phase 3 Work to Start: (Orcutt Road north of intersection closed to through traffic)
• June2022: Phase 4 Work (Intermittent closures of lanes, drivers should expect delay and detours) 
• July2022: Phase 5 Work (Roundabout roadway will be open serving all movements)
• August 2022: Estimated Completion Date  
• October 2022: Public Art Installation and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

*All dates subject to change

Stay up to date with the latest info!

1. This webpage will be updated throughout the project with construction and commuter updates.
2. Follow the City's social media pages for additional notification.
3. Feel free to contact City staff at any time:

• Jennifer Rice, Transportation Planner/Engineer, jrice@slocity.org, 805-781-7058
• Bobby Browning, Engineering Inspector, bbrowning@slocity.org

Additional FAQ's

Click to read our Project Factsheet: (English | Spanish coming soon)

Will Islay Park remain open during construction?

Yes! Islay Hill Park will remain open during the construction, however vehicular access to the parking lot will be temporarily closed to non-maintenance vehicles, while temporary on-street parking for the park will be provided along Tank Farm Road with pedestrian access to the park. The parking lot is anticipated to be closed September through January 2022.

Will project construction increase neighborhood cut-through traffic?

Designated detours will NOT be routed through neighborhood streets. City staff will be monitoring detour traffic patterns and implementing temporary traffic control as needed to deter neighborhood cut-through. Please contact City Transportation at traffic@slocity.org if you have concerns regarding traffic cutting through your neighborhood.

Why is a roundabout proposed instead of a traffic signal or all-way stop?

With adoption of the General Plan Land Use and Circulation Elements (LUCE) in 2014, the City officially adopted a “roundabout first” policy, prioritizing roundabouts as a first-priority solution where intersection control upgrades are warranted. Roundabouts generally result in fewer injury collisions, lower long-term maintenance costs, and reduced vehicle delays and emissions compared to signalized traffic control. A primary reason to install a roundabout are the safety benefits. Roundabouts reduce injury crashes by 51 percent compared to a signalized or stop controlled intersection. Additionally, roundabouts can hand more vehicles through the intersection than a traffic signal, improving congestion and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Will there be landscaping or public art as part of the roundabout?

Yes. The project area will have new landscaping as well as a pubic art sculpture planned for the central roundabout island.

How much does this project cost and how is it funded?

Construction costs for the project are approximately $3.5 million. (Note that this cost is inclusive of a large drainage basin and three culvert modifications, and should not be considered a representation of a typical roundabout installation.) The primary funding source for the project are Transportation Impact Fees (fees paid by private development to support new development growth). Supplemental funding sources include State Highway Account grant funding and local tax dollars (Measure G-20).

How to use a Roundabout

How to Drive in a Roundabout

How to Bike in a Roundabout

How to Walk in a Roundabout