Next year Carpinteria will take on the largest capital improvement project in city history with a $15.3-million bridge replacement project. 

The Carpinteria Creek bridge will be replaced at Carpinteria Avenue, and the project will also improve nearby bike and pedestrian paths. The project is 88% grant funded, with remaining funds coming from local taxes and development impact fees, according to the city budget.

The city will be going out to bid for contractors in the winter and will begin construction next year, according to John Ilasin, Carpinteria’s public works director. 

As part of the 2025-26 budget, the city is set to invest $8.3 million within the next year on 11 capital improvement projects including crosswalks, trails and the bridge replacement.

City officials discussed upcoming projects during budget hearings. 

The Carpinteria High School area crosswalk improvement project, the Linden Avenue improvement project, and Franklin Creek trail improvement are expected to be completed in the next year, Ilasin said.  

All three projects received grant funding, but the city will have to look for other revenue sources for future projects as available and unassigned city funds are dwindling. 

City Manager Michael Ramirez said the city is fiscally resilient, but without new revenue streams the city would have to reduce staff and programs by fiscal year 2027-28.

“It’s good that we’re now planning two years ahead and there are a number of things in the budget that we’re planning to address these issues, but something definitely needs to be done,” Ramirez said.

The Carpinteria High School area crosswalk improvement project includes adding a new crosswalk in front of the high school that will signal for drivers to stop when pedestrians are crossing the road, according to the city’s budget.

The city received a $342,270 grant for the $846,650 project. 

The $924,500 Linden Avenue improvement project aims to widen sidewalks and parkways, update accessible curb ramps, and improve bike lanes on Linden Avenue between Carpinteria Avenue and the Linden Avenue overcrossing. 

The project is fully grant funded, and the city has already received bids from contractors. 

The $2 million Franklin Creek trail improvement project aims to improve accessibility, resurface the path and add fencing on the east side of Franklin Creek Trail between Carpinteria Avenue and Seventh Street, according to the city budget.

The goal is to make the path a safer route to Aliso Elementary School. The project is fully funded, and design plans were recently approved by the Carpinteria Architecture Review Board. 

Looking to the future, city Parks and Recreation Director Jeanette Gant said fixing up the community pool is going to be a top priority for the city. 

“If we don’t start fixing it and investing in it, it’s going to become very expensive very quick and it’s going to result in an emergency shutdown years down the line,” Gant said. “We need to get ahead of that as much as possible.”

The city budgeted $70,000 to go to the community pool this year, with $11,000 coming from private donations and $59,000 coming from development impact fees.

The community pool at 5305 Carpinteria Ave. is over 30 years old, and it will cost an estimated $1.1 million to repair the pool deck, replace the filter system, pumps, pool heater, the chlorine delivery system, and address other equipment issues. 

Gant also said they want to prioritize projects that improve accessibility at city facilities like Veterans Memorial Hall and playgrounds.