Stimulus Package Money Spurs County-Wide Road Rehab

Beginning on January 4, 2010, construction on roads in Goleta and Santa Maria will begin to be repaired and resurfaced using federal stimulus package money. The road rehab will be funded primarily by $850,000 that was designated in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the Second and Fifth supervisorial districts.

Depending on weather conditions, the project is expected to be complete by March 1, 2010. Near Goleta, The construction will take place On Modoc Road from Via Laguna Drive to Via Zorro, from Encore Drive to Encore drive and from State Street to 4326 Modoc Road. Near Santa Maria, the construction is on Betteravia Road from Highway 101 to 1.0 mile east of the highway. 3.3 miles of total roadway is designated for this project and Construction hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.

In to a December 31, 2009 press release, Steve McGolphin, who is Santa Barbara County’s public works director, stated, “The County is grateful that a portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds were earmarked for preservation of our Transportation Infrastructure. These funds will help the County to continue its pavement preservation work.” The Asphalt Overlay and Miscellaneous Concrete Repair Project was awarded to Granite Construction Company by the county’s Public Works Department. The award will allow the contractor to hire other construction crews to help out, which will help fuel the local economy, said McGolphin.

Since the release of the Economic Stimulus Package, Santa Barbara County officials have been working hard to plan projects that qualify for ARRA funding. Recently completed county projects already total about $2.6 million and consist of bridge maintenance repairs, asphalt concrete overlay, and concrete repair projects. Public Works officials would like to thank local residents and those on the road for their patience and cooperation during this project.