The storm-damaged Cathedral Oaks Road crib wall is on track to get repairs.

The Goleta City Council on Tuesday authorized city staff to begin advertising for construction proposals for the two-phase repair project. 

The project aims to repair two sections of the crib wall that sustained damage from past severe winter storms, which forced the road and bike path in the area to close.

The crib wall sections along Cathedral Oaks Road and between Calle Real support the road, the nearby multi-use path and the hillside below, according to the city staff report. The 40-foot-tall wall also keeps the hillside in place, limits ground movement and supports a 40-foot-high slope.

One bike lane has been closed for seven years because of the crib wall, City Manager Robert Nisbet said.  

Phase 1 will pave Winchester Canyon Road and the portion of Calle Real between Cathedral Oaks Road and Winchester Canyon Road, according to the city staff report.

“The purpose of these improvements is to offset the downside of closing the road for traffic to and from Highway 101 and West Hollister Avenue,” said Michael Winnewisser, project manager.

The paving project aims to improve the expected detour route motorists will have to take during crib wall construction. City staff said the paving needs to be complete before moving on to Phase 2.

City staff estimate construction will begin this summer and be finished a month or two later, according to Autumn Glaeser, assistant public works director.

Phase 2 will demolish the “failing” crib walls and replace them with two soldier-pile soil retaining walls along with regrading the slope getting and replacing the existing paved multi-purpose path, Winnewisser said. 

Phase 2 of construction is expected in late 2027, according to the city staff report. 

However, the timeline could change once the project selects a contractor, Glaeser said.

Mayor Paula Perotte and councilmember Stuart Kasdin both shared excitement for this project.  

Currently, the two phases are in the late stages of design, according to city staff. 

Winnewisser also said city staff has made strong efforts to create a community outreach plan with online project updates, community workshops and door hangars for nearby residents and businesses. 

Perotte recommended city staff do outreach with the nearby schools so the student-bicyclists are aware. 

Glaeser said they have already begun notifying schools, acknowledging they are important partners.

City staff getting the greenlight to advertise that the project is looking for construction proposals is a preliminary step toward breaking ground. 

Final plans will be brought forth to the City Council after the proposal process, according to the city staff report.