Santa Claus Lane Bike Path

Project Description

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) proposes to construct a Class I Bike Path adjacent to the southbound lanes of U.S. 101 between Estero Street, near the Carpinteria Avenue off-ramp in the City of Carpinteria, and Sand Point Road in the County of Santa Barbara. The project is part of a series of independent transportation improvement projects that are proposed along the U.S. 101 corridor, including the U.S. 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara Project (formerly known as South Coast 101 HOV Lanes project). The transportation improvements proposed within the U.S. 101 corridor are interrelated and progressing in parallel with one another.

Project Benefits

Purpose: Improve bicycle and pedestrian travel by providing a direct coastal route between the Santa Claus Lane commercial area, beaches in the county, and Carpinteria Avenue in Carpinteria. Complete a segment of the California Coastal Trail consistent with the circulation and bikeway systems outlined in the County’s Comprehensive Plan, City’s General Plan, the statewide California Coastal Trail Map, and the Plan for Improved Agency Partnering (Caltrans and California Coastal Commission, 2016). Enhance and improve coastal access for bicycles and pedestrians consistent with local coastal policies and plans.

Need: Between Santa Claus Lane and Carpinteria Avenue, bicycle traffic is diverted inland via Padaro Lane, Via Real, and Santa Ynez Avenue; there is currently no continuous, direct route along the coast for bicyclists. This diversion also creates a gap in the California Coastal Trail. Some portions of the existing route are not wide enough to accommodate standard bicycle lanes, and bicyclists must compete with vehicular traffic for space along the route.

Funding Breakdown

Projected total project cost: $8,150,000. Funding is from a combination of sources: Measure A--Pedestrian and Bike Program, SB1--Local Partnership Program, Measure A Local Sales Tax, and SB1-–Congested Corridors.

Partnerships

Caltrans in cooperation with the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, City of Carpinteria, and Santa Barbara County is proposing this project.

Proposed Project Schedule

  • Public Comment Review Period: December 6, 2019 through January 6, 2020
  • Environmental document to be completed: Winter 2020
  • Right of way acquisition to be completed: 2020/2021
  • Design to be completed: Late 2020/Early 2021
  • Construction to begin: mid- to late 2021
  • Construction to be completed: 2022/2023

Contact

District 5 Public Affairs
50 Higuera Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: (805) 549-3111
Email: info-d5@dot.ca.gov

Documents