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Completion of Punta Gorda Street Bridge Replacement and Sycamore Creek Channel Improvements Project

Construction of the Punta Gorda Street Bridge Replacement and Sycamore Creek Channel Improvements Project is substantially complete.  Punta Gorda Street has re-opened to pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle traffic.  Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) Route 2 will be restored to Punta Gorda Street effective tomorrow.

The Project involved the widening of Lower Sycamore Creek and the replacement of the Punta Gorda Street Bridge.  The lower portion of the Sycamore Creek watershed has experienced extensive flooding.  During the 1995 storms, nearly four feet of water flooded properties adjacent to the project area.  This improvement increases flood flow capacity and reduces the probability of neighborhood flooding.

Funding for construction the project came primarily from a $2,662,525 grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development through the 2008 Disaster Recovery Initiative (DRI) Program.  The 2008 Tea Fire burned much of the upper Sycamore Creek watershed, increasing the potential for flooding generated from runoff from the burn area.  Projects awarded through the DRI program must benefit low and moderate income people.

In addition to the drainage improvements, the project included riparian habitat restoration, improved pedestrian facilities, a new MTD stop with lighting, and increased on-street parking.  Future flood improvements on Lower Sycamore Creek are in the City's Capital Improvement Program and will be designed and constructed pending the availability of future funding. 

If you have any questions regarding this construction, please contact Brian D'Amour, Principal Civil Engineer, at (805) 897-2661. Información en español es disponible al (805) 897-2615. 

Brian D'Amour, Principal Civil Engineer Phone: 805-897-2661 Email:  BDamour@SantaBarbaraCA.gov