Highway 101 Overcrossing Open House Announced

The City of Goleta will be hosting a Community Open House on Wednesday, October 27, 2010, to present information on the proposed new Highway 101 Overcrossing Project. The upcoming meeting is a follow up to a similar event held last February which introduced the project and a range of alignment alternatives. At that time City officials told residents that they would return with a refined group of alternatives in October.

The Open House will be held from 5-8 pm October 27 at Brandon School, located at 195 Brandon Drive in Goleta. Attendees are invited to drop in at any point during the scheduled hours. A Spanish language translator will be available.

The Highway 101 Overcrossing Project will create a new automobile / pedestrian overcrossing to traverse Highway 101 and the railroad tracks between Storke Road and Winchester Canyon Road. A new overcrossing has been in the City’s plans for a number of years and will improve automobile circulation and provide a safer and more convenient route for bicyclists and pedestrians. The project is partially funded by voter approved Measure A sales tax funds.

Thirteen possible alignments were originally identified and presented at the February Open House. Based on community feedback resulting from the Open House and the Feasibility Study, a fourth alternative has been added.

The four alternatives are:

1. Alternative A4 – Connects Hollister Ave/Entrance Rd Intersection south of the freeway to Calle Real/Brandon Dr Intersection north of the freeway

2. Alternative A6 – Connects Hollister Ave/Entrance Rd Intersection south of the freeway to Calle Real/San Rossano Dr Intersection north of the freeway

3. Alternative C5 – Connects Hollister Ave/Entrance Rd Intersection south of the freeway to Calle Real about 200’ west of Baker Lane north of the freeway

4. Alternative A7 – Connects Hollister Ave/Ellwood Station Road south of the freeway to Calle Real/San Rossano Drive north of the freeway.

These four alignments will be on display, including a summary of project developments based on public comment from the February 2010 meeting. The public will have an opportunity to view video traffic simulations of how each potential alignment will operate. The simulation will also show traffic if no new overcrossing is built, which is the existing traffic pattern. Members of the Project Development Team will be present to explain the work to date, answer questions and discuss ideas in an informal format.

Additional information is available through the project message line, 805-562-0362 or via email to rgaglione@cityofgoleta.com.