Santa Barbara is pursuing a grant for pedestrian and cyclist improvements for the Castillo Street, one of its busiest streets, and nearby Haley Street.

Under the proposed Castillo Highway 101 undercrossing project, the city would construct an elevated bicycle and pedestrian walkway, create widened and separated sidewalks, plant new trees, and install new lighting along the 300 block of Castillo Street and 300 block of West Haley Street.

Those changes would improve safety and keep cyclists out of the roadway, staff said. The project’s design is still in the early stages.

That stretch of Castillo Street, which goes under Highway 101, is known for being perpetually wet because it is below the water table. A high number of serious injuries or fatal collisions also occur that street, according to the city.

The Santa Barbara City Council on Tuesday directed city staff to apply for California Active Transportation Grants to fund the project. The council also committed to a 1% grant match of $150,000 that would come from fiscal year 2028 and beyond. 

“I think we’re all in agreement, Castillo underpass (project) is needed, it’s a safety concern,” said Councilmember Wendy Santamaria. “No more band-aid solutions for Castillo — that needs to get done.”

Eastside Highway Overcrossing Plan

The council also discussed pursuing a grant for the Eastside Overcrossing Project, which includes the construction of a pedestrian and cyclist bridge to connect the Lower Eastside and waterfront neighborhoods. 

However, due to the $40-million price tag, and the “eerie” lack of public feedback on Tuesday, the council decided to table the decision until after the upcoming community meetings.

There was also some discussion on whether the city should also pursue a grant for the State Street Master Plan.

“We have so many things that we are trying to do that are big, that are profound and it’s worrisome to me that we really didn’t have many folks here to tell us that they continue to be really, really excited about this project,” said Councilmember Meagan Harmon.

Councilmembers Santamaria and Oscar Gutierrez didn’t want to give up on the Eastside project completely, noting concerns about equity and beach access.

Gutierrez said he believes the Eastside needs that project, “having grown up there with friends and family and such.” He said it is “very difficult to get to the beach” from the Eastside area.

He added that he believes Eastside residents “need to be reminded about (the project) because this is something that I feel like they will take extremely seriously when it comes to addressing the equity issue of how the city treats that specific district.”

Under the Eastside project, crews would construct a pedestrian and cyclist bridge over Highway 101 and the railroad tracks to connect the Eastside neighborhood to the waterfront.

The overcrossing would start at the intersection of South Canada and Pitos Streets and connect to the future renovated Dwight Murphy Park, with a ramp alongside the Santa Barbara Zoo parking lot, according to the staff report. 

The city would have to commit to at least a 1% grant match of $400,000 for the project’s grant.

City staff said the bridge would shorten the walk to the waterfront by up to 1.5 miles and save 30 minutes in walking time from Eastside neighborhoods.

The council was also concerned about how the project would impact the Santa Barbara Zoo. City staff said zoo leadership has expressed interest in developing workforce housing near the site and had concerns about a potential loss of parking. 

“The loss of parking, it’s a big deal for the zoo because it’s one of the most visited destinations in the city, it’s educational, there’s summer camps there, tourists come there, the community comes there,” Councilman Eric Friedman said. “They are packed there on the weekends, every weekend, and any loss of parking impacts them.”

The deadline to apply for the grants is June 22. City staff will return before then with more community feedback on the Eastside Overcrossing Project and the impact it would have on the zoo.

Staff will also discuss if there’s enough time to submit a third application for a State Street grant.

There will be two community meetings on the Eastside Overcrossing project this month.

A virtual meeting on the project will be held 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Community members can register for the Zoom webinar here.

An in-person meeting will be held 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 20 at the Franklin Elementary School Multipurpose Room at 1111 E Mason St.