Lower Eastside Community Connectivity Active Transportation Plan

U. S. Highway 101 (US 101) is a physical barrier to walking and bicycling between the Lower Eastside neighborhood and Waterfront destinations located south of US 101. The closest highway crossing points are 1.25 miles apart, and there is a lack of walking and bicycling infrastructure at some of the existing crossing locations and within corridors leading to them. To identify projects to enhance pedestrian and bicycle connectivity between the Lower Eastside and destinations south of US 101, the City developed the Lower Eastside Community Connectivity Active Transportation Plan (Plan) that builds upon previously adopted plans, including the 2006 Pedestrian Master Plan, 2013 Eastside Neighborhood Transportation Management Plan, 2016 Bicycle Master Plan, and 2018 Santa Barbara Vision Zero Strategy. With support from the community, the Plan was adopted by City Council in February of 2024.

The Plan resulted in two primary proposed projects: 1) US 101 Pedestrian/Cyclist Bridge Overcrossing from the Eastside to the Waterfront, and 2) the Lower Eastside Safety Enhancements Project. 

The City applied for grant funding in June 2024 through the State’s Active Transportation Program (Program) Cycle 7 to design and construct both projects. Although the application scored very well, it was unsuccessful due to a significant budget cut in the Program.

The City also collaborated with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) and Caltrans on the SB1 grant application for the US 101 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Project, which included the Lower Eastside Safety Enhancements Project. This application was successful and in June 2025, the City received $8,755,000 towards construction of the project. The overcrossing was not added to the grant application because it did not meet the grant’s delivery timelines. 

The City will continue to seek grant funding opportunities for implementation of the overcrossing project.  

In June 2025, the California Transportation Commission awarded Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) and Caltrans with a Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) grant to support the completion of the US 101 Multimodal Corridor Project through Santa Barbara. Approximately $8,755,000 of the grant is allocated specifically towards constructing the Lower Eastside Safety Enhancements Project, which includes the following features: 

• Safe Routes to School safety enhancements, including curb extensions and high visibility crosswalks at the intersections of Montecito and Voluntario Streets, Montecito and Soledad Streets, Quinientos and Voluntario Streets, Quinientos and Soledad Streets, and Carpinteria and Soledad Streets. Other intersections may be included based on continued community engagement;
• Bike and pedestrian friendly street improvements, including curb extensions at Canada and Hutash Streets, Canada and Punta Gorda Streets, and Voluntario and Cacique Streets;
• Salinas Street safety improvements, including a lighting corridor on Salinas Street from the five-point roundabout to the US 101 off ramp at Salinas Street, and curb extensions at Salinas and Clifton Streets, Salinas and Carpinteria Streets, Salinas and Hutash Streets, and Salinas and Pitos Streets;
• Traffic calming improvements along Salinas Street; and
• Sidewalk infill on Alisos Street from Cacique Street to Punta Gorda Street. 

Construction of the Project is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2027. The City will continue to engage with the community to provide project updates before and during construction.

The Plan includes a proposed pedestrian and cyclist bridge overcrossing from the intersection of Canada and Pitos Streets to the northern portion of Dwight Murphy Field. To date, grant funding efforts have been unsuccessful for this project. The next likely grant funding opportunity will be through the State’s Active Transportation Program in June 2026.

Click image to enlarge.

Final Plan - Lower Eastside Community Connectivity

Feasibility Study - Lower Eastside Community Connectivity

Feasibility Study Appendices - Lower Eastside Community Connectivity

Past community meetings:

• On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, there was a webinar to review the Project plan.
  • Click here to view the presentation.
  • Click here to view the Webinar Recording.
• On Thursday, August 7, 2025, an open house format meeting occurred at Franklin Elementary School to review the Project plan.
• On Wednesday, July 16, 2025 a neighborhood meeting occurred on the corner of Alisos and Cacique Streets to provide input on a potential new sidewalk and parking removal on the property side of the 200 Block of S. Alisos Street.