The final phase of the Modoc Road multi-use path project is set to start in October after the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a $5.5 million construction contract.

It will complete a regional path network from Isla Vista to Arroyo Burro Beach and Santa Barbara.

The contract is for constructing an off-road path for bicyclists and pedestrians along Modoc Road between Encore Drive and Via Senda.

“This beautiful path will allow more people to bike, roll and stroll from one part of our community to another — safely. It takes a village to make these projects come to life. I’m grateful to all the partners for sticking with this project and believing in the end goal,” board chair Laura Capps said.

The Board of Supervisors previously approved the Modoc Road multi-use path project in a unanimous vote, and the first phase was completed in August 2023.

The second phase starting in October is expected to be completed in the spring, according to Lael Wageneck, a public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department.

He explained that the contractor on the project has 120 days to complete construction once the project starts. However, that timeline could be delayed by the weather.

Traffic could be affected once construction starts, but Wageneck said that will be determined closer to the beginning of phase two. Traffic impacts may include detours or flaggers.

Granite Construction Co. was selected for the contract as the lowest bidder for the contract. The company quoted the county an estimate of $5,546,564 for the phase, which is 4.7% higher than the county engineer’s estimate.