Michael Bennett: Improving Neighborhood Access is a Goleta Priority

We can't bring Christina Veloz-Payne back, but the Goleta community can come together to prevent another tragedy.

By Goleta Mayor Michael T. Bennett | Published on 09.10.2008

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It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Christina Veloz-Payne, who died trying to cross Highway 101 to get home on Labor Day.

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Michael Bennett
Since this senseless tragedy, there has been a great deal of discussion and some measure of finger-pointing about the lack of adequate pedestrian access in western Goleta over the freeway.

Improving access in town is an issue that the Goleta City Council is well aware of. Indeed, it has been identified as a priority since the adoption of the city’s General Plan in October 2006 and it is now included in the city’s Capital Improvement Program as a priority project.

Looking forward, we have several choices. We can focus on what did and did not happen many years ago, or we can focus on what our community can do now to address this issue.

The Goleta City Council is aware that there is a need to improve pedestrian, bike and local traffic access over Highway 101. Just last month, the City Council authorized $300,000 to begin the evaluation process of determining the location of an overcrossing in western Goleta. A new overcrossing will provide safer pedestrian and bike access as well as improve neighborhood traffic circulation.

In addition, as part of Measure A, which will be decided by the voters on Nov. 4, $7 million is dedicated specifically to a new Highway 101 overcrossing in Goleta. This project has been on our radar screen for several years. Measure A, if approved, will help enable the overcrossing to become a reality.

Let’s be clear. This overcrossing is not only about traffic counts, design standards, growth or no growth; it is also about public convenience, safety and connecting our neighborhoods. Our community needs to know that it can play at Girsh Park, go to Dos Pueblos High School, shop at Camino Real Marketplace or throw a Frisbee at Evergreen Open Space, and be able to get home safely and in a timely manner. We can not bring Christina back, but we can try to prevent another child risking his or her life to get home by taking a shortcut.

Working together as a community is what Goleta does best. And it is together that our community can and will address this important issue.

Michael T. Bennett is mayor of Goleta.

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» IM Olde on 09.11.08 @ 11:15 AM

A true politician will try to turn a senseless tragedy into an opportunity to spend millions on a dubious project with little real relationship to the original events.  Goletans have one in Mr. Bennett, but since we elected him, we deserve what we get.

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» Curious on 09.11.08 @ 12:31 PM

Mayor, could you please clarify if the overpass proposed with Measure A funds would be for cars or just people?

BTW, nice job on correcting Tina’s name…

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» Eva Inbar on 09.11.08 @ 07:57 PM

Dear Mayor Bennett,
Thank you for writing this and thank you for caring. I too want us to move forward so that something good may come out of this senseless tragedy. When Measure A passes, Goleta will have $7,500,000 in hand to build a new overpass. Please build it where those that want to play at Girsh Park, go to DP, shop at Camino Real or throw a frisbee at Evergreen Open Space would actually benefit from it. That means, build it where Tina died, not farther west where it wouldn’t have done her any good. $7,500,000 could finally get the Ellwood Bike Bridge built.

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» Don Lubach on 09.12.08 @ 06:00 AM

Thank You, Mayor Bennett,

The bridge would add a lot of life quality to Western Goleta. A plan for a bridge, as I recall, was a mitigation measure for the Camino Real Marketplace and somehow didn’t get built. I don’t feel the need to point a finger, I think we ought to all work together and get that bridge built—soon.

Looking forward to biking, walking, and maybe even skipping over Hwy 101.

Don Lubach

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» WIGNOUTINCA on 09.12.08 @ 05:52 PM

It’s sad that it takes the death of a child to focus the community on this subject.  Prior to Goleta’s incorporation, the developer of the Camino Real Marketplace provided mitigation funds to the County of Santa Barbara that were earmarked for overpass and mass transit projects.  Gail Marshall, our Third District Supervisor at the time, and her colleagues on the BOS voted instead to use the money to add the additional southbound lane on Highway 101 between the Storke ON ramp and the Los Carneros OFF ramp.  Sorry to finger point, but once again, another action by County decision makers to the detriment of Goleta residents.  Now that we’ve incorporated, the City Council should request the County to contribute a similar amount of money, perhaps from the revenue neutrality agreement funds it is receiving from the City, to help finance the overpass project.

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» Truewords on 09.12.08 @ 09:25 PM

Why don’t people get on the MTD bus that comes directly from Camino Real Center across the freeway to El Encanto Heights every half hour until 11 pm every day? Life is about making choices. Good ones get you where you need to go.

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» Goleta help on 09.15.08 @ 06:53 PM

This is a very sad death.  Any time a life is lost at this young age it is a very sad thing.

However, one thing I have not heard people talk about…..WHY WAS A 14 YEAR OLD GIRL WALKING HOME THAT FAR BY HERSELF AT NIGHT!?!?!?!? Where is the parenting?

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