Robert Nisbet : “Goleta Seeks Shift in Overpass Funds to Roundabouts”

The City of Goleta is considering reallocating $8.4 million of Measure A transportation funds from a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Highway 101 to roundabouts and other circulation projects in Old Town Goleta.

City Manager Robert Nisbet presented the proposal at the recent meeting of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, citing the high cost of the bridge project at $275 million.

The city is gearing up to kick off Project Connect in Old Town, which includes the construction of roundabouts on Hollister Avenue on both sides of Highway 217. Additionally, plans are in place to extend Ekwill and Fowler roads to enhance biking and pedestrian flow, improve traffic circulation, and widen the existing Hollister Avenue bridge over San José Creek to align it with the roundabout on the Old Town side of Highway 217.

Nisbet emphasized that the goal of Project Connect is to make circulation improvements for commuters, revitalize Old Town, and provide regional benefits.

Measure A, a half-cent sales tax measure approved by 79% of Santa Barbara County voters in November 2008, has generated over $462 million and leveraged an additional $500 million in state and federal funds.

The Highway 101 bridge overcrossing project, initially included in Measure A, was intended to span the freeway between Entrance Road in Ellwood and either Brandon or San Rossano drives in El Encanto Heights.

Nisbet highlighted several challenges with the bridge project that would escalate costs, primarily related to right-of-way acquisitions involving Caltrans and the Union Pacific railroad, as well as potential eminent domain issues for residences in the project’s path.

Meanwhile, the City of Santa Barbara has proposed a $32.5 million pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Highway 101, without the need for eminent domain or right-of-way acquisitions. However, funding for Santa Barbara’s project remains uncertain.

El Encanto Heights resident Richard Foster expressed skepticism about Goleta’s reallocation of funds, criticizing the roundabouts as an attempt to restrict traffic flow in Old Town. He questioned the alignment of the proposed changes with the original intent of Measure A spending.

Foster advocated for a pedestrian bridge in Goleta to enhance safety for residents, particularly students commuting to Dos Pueblos High School.

Despite the opposition, the $71 million Project Connect is set to commence next month, with SBCAG board chairman Steve Lavagnino expressing support for the fund reallocation. Lavagnino acknowledged the challenge of changing an identified project in Measure A but deemed the original bridge project impractical at this time.

The proposed funding shift will undergo review by the Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee in March, followed by a vote by the SBCAG board and the county Board of Supervisors. While the process is ongoing, the sentiment at the recent meeting suggests that the change is likely to be approved.

Mayor Paula Perotte assured that the overcrossing project remains on the city’s Capital Improvement Program and will be revisited once funding becomes available.