Santa Barbara to Host Community Meetings on Westside Transportation Management Plans

The city of Santa Barbara is set to conduct two important community engagement meetings aimed at updating residents on the Westside and Lower West Neighborhoods Transportation Management Plan Implementation Project. This initiative is designed to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists by creating dedicated routes to schools, parks, and essential neighborhood services. The project aims to bridge significant infrastructure gaps between the Westside and Lower West neighborhoods, facilitating better crosstown connectivity.

During these meetings, attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the proposed design for protected bike paths along Modoc Road, specifically between Las Positas Road and Mission Street.

For those who prefer to participate remotely, a virtual meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. via Zoom. Interested participants can register for the webinar by following this link: Click here to register for the webinar. Alternatively, they can scan the QR code provided below or visit the Zoom Registration Link.

The last community meetings took place in January 2024, where residents reviewed the project scope and provided valuable feedback. A strong consensus emerged regarding the need to modify the protected bike path design on Modoc Road, transitioning from a two-directional path on the north side to a one-directional path on each side of the road. Community input is crucial for finalizing the design of the one-directional protected bike paths.

Key features of the project include:

• A mile of protected bike paths adjacent to La Cumbre Jr. High and Santa Barbara Community Academy, located on Modoc Road and Portesuello Avenue. These paths will connect to the Las Positas/Modoc Multiuse Path and neighborhood bike-friendly streets on Gillespie Street and San Pascual Street.
• Enhanced bicycle infrastructure aimed at closing the connectivity gap between the Westside and Lower West neighborhoods.
• Improved corridor lighting along San Andres Street and Modoc Road to ensure safety for all users.

Construction for this project is anticipated to commence in 2027.

For those interested in receiving project updates and learning more about the initiative, please visit SantaBarbaraCA.gov/WestsideNTMP.