The city of Goleta will mark the start of construction on the www.CityofGoleta.org/SJPath in a groundbreaking ceremony, 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9 at Armitos Park Community Garden in Old Town.
The three-mile San Jose Creek Multi-purpose Path will connect to the existing path between Armitos Avenue and Hollister Avenue in Old Town Goleta, which links Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park, the Community Garden, and Armitos Park.
The project will create a direct route for bicyclists and pedestrians across both sides of Highway 101 — from Calle Real to residential and commercial areas in Old Town — and connect to the Atascadero Creek Bikeway, providing access to Goleta Beach Park, UCSB, and the city of Santa Barbara.
The new facility will feature a Class I bicycle and pedestrian path and other amenities designed to improve safety and accessibility for people walking and biking, particularly near high-volume roadways and freeway underpasses where infrastructure is currently limited.
Construction is organized into two segments: the northern segment from Calle Real near Kellogg to the portion of the path between Armitos Park and Jonny D. Wallis Park, and the southern segment from South Kellogg Way to the Atascadero Bikeway. View the project map here.
Funding for the project includes about $17.9 million in Active Transportation Grant funding from the California Transportation Commission; $11.16 million in funding from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Grant Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation; and some $1 million in grant funding from Measure A Safe Routes to School Program.
As a condition of the funding, the city will provide up to 20 percent of the overall construction costs through a combination of sources including various development impact fees and future bond proceeds.
For more, visit www.CityofGoleta.org/SJPath, email SJPath@cityofgoleta.gov, or call/text 805-699-5392.