Bridge the Eastside to the Beach

Council Revisits Bridge Project After May Delay

The Santa Barbara City Council will vote June 9 on whether to pursue grant funding for a proposed pedestrian and bicycle bridge connecting the Eastside neighborhood to the waterfront, according to the Santa Barbara Independent. The $32.5 million bridge would span Highway 101, addressing what city officials call the largest gap between crossings in the city at 1.25 miles.

The council delayed action in May after concerns emerged about a potential housing project at the Santa Barbara Zoo and its impact on parking availability. City Administrator Kelly McAdoo reported discussions with zoo officials about workforce housing development, according to the Santa Barbara News-Press.

Bridge Would Span From Canada Street to Zoo Area

The proposed bridge would begin at the intersection of south Canada and Pitos streets, cross over Highway 101, and land near the Santa Barbara Zoo parking lot before connecting to Dwight Murphy Field, according to Noozhawk. City staff estimate the bridge would shorten walks to the waterfront by up to 1.5 miles and save 30 minutes in walking time from Eastside neighborhoods.

The project is part of the Lower Eastside Community Connectivity Active Transportation Plan, which the city developed after identifying the need for better connectivity between the Eastside and waterfront destinations in 2006.

Previous Grant Attempts Failed Due to Funding Cuts

The city previously applied for grant funding through the state's Active Transportation Program in June 2024 but was unsuccessful despite scoring well, according to city records. Officials attributed the failure to "significant budget cuts" in the program. The next likely grant funding opportunity will be through the state's Active Transportation Program in June 2026, requiring council approval by the application deadline.

A separate $8.75 million grant for Lower Eastside Safety Enhancements was successfully secured in June 2025 through collaboration with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and Caltrans, with construction anticipated to begin in fall 2027.

Safety and Equity Concerns Drive Support

Proponents argue the bridge addresses safety and equity issues for Eastside residents. Between 2007 and 2022, the Lower Eastside Plan Area recorded 1,424 of the city's 15,533 total collisions, with 82 involving pedestrians and 131 involving bicyclists. Of those pedestrian and bicycle collisions, 25 resulted in severe or fatal injuries.

Councilmember Wendy Santamaria, who represents the Eastside district, emphasized equity concerns during the May council meeting. "I really don't want to lose sight of the sometimes lack of equity the Eastside faces," she said, according to the News-Press. "They are cut off the most from the waterfront."

Community Outreach Continues Before June Vote

The city held community meetings in May to gather input on the project, including virtual sessions and in-person meetings at Franklin Elementary School. Supporters can email the City Council at mayor&[email protected] or [email protected] before the June 9 vote.

The bridge would be the fourth pedestrian and bicycle overcrossing in Santa Barbara, joining existing crossings at Ortega, Anapamu, and Junipero streets. If approved for grant application, the project would still require state funding approval and multiple rounds of environmental and design review before construction could begin.