Crews are set to begin work this week to replace the De la Vina Street bridge over Mission Creek in Santa Barbara.

The bridge, at 2700 De la Vina St., between Alamar Avenue and Vernon Road, has been deemed seismically unsafe. The City of Santa Barbara plans to build a new bridge that meets current seismic standards as well as enhance and repair the vegetation in Mission Creek.

“The De la Vina bridge upgrade is an important public safety project,” City Councilman Eric Friedman said. “It will bring the bridge up to current seismic safety standards and protect the community in the event of an earthquake.”

Friedman said the project comes at a fitting time since Santa Barbara is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1925 earthquake on June 29.

He said the construction “will proactively improve the bridge in the event of another seismic event.”

The project is expected to be completed within two years.

Detours will be in place during construction. One-way southbound traffic will be maintained on De la Vina Street at all times, according to the city.

Construction will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

According to a city press release, new safety features include curb extensions, high visibility crosswalk markings, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, and safety lighting.

The creek will be realigned and the habitat restored. Crews also will make sewer, water and storm drain improvements.

For more information and to sign up for project updates, visit De La Vina Street Bridge Over Mission Creek Replacement Project at santabarbaraca.gov/DLVBridge.

The City of Santa Barbara took over four properties by eminent domain in 2022 in order to repair the old bridge over Mission Creek. The City Council approved the move at a May meeting.

Marty’s Pizza at 2733 De la Vina St., Yellow Bird Music, then at 2726 De la Vina St., De la Vina Liquor at 2735 De la Vina St. and Mishay Salon at 2728 De la Vina St. all lost their buildings.

The buildings occupied by the pizza parlor and liquor store were partially on the bridge, and the building occupied by Yellow Bird Music and Mishay Salon were within an inch of the bridge.