Measure A: Investment Plan Amendment Request 

Measure A was approved in 2008 as a 30-year renewal measure. Measure A is also a leveraging tool for Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) and local partners. As part of the Investment Plan, the Goleta Hwy 101 Overcrossing Project is a named project.

The Goleta Hwy 101 Overcrossing Project stalled due to lack of funding and higher regional priorities. The Goleta Hwy 101 Overcrossing Project requires further evaluations and studies, including alternative site constraints analysis, review of design criteria updates since 2008, General Plan update and rezoning, and most importantly right-of-way acquisitions/eminent domain process. Based on its current status, Hwy 101 Overcrossing Project will not be construction ready by FY26-FY29 as projected in the Measure A Investment Plan.

Goleta is seeking approval from SBCAG to amend the Measure A Investment Plan to rename Goleta Hwy 101 Overcrossing to Goleta’s Project Connect. 

Project Connect

Project Connect is the City of Goleta’s comprehensive program to enhance pedestrian access and safety, improve road conditions and build critical linkage through Goleta while increasing stormwater flow capacity in San Jose Creek under Hollister Bridge. Construction will begin in spring 2024 and is slated to be completed in 2026.

Project Connect provides direct benefit to Goleta and the greater Santa Barbara area by:

• Reducing the 100-year flood zone in Goleta
• Close the gap in a regional active transportation network, including connection through our disadvantaged community
• Improve bicycle and pedestrian safety
• Improve vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian access
• Promote economic development in our disadvantaged community

Project Connect Funding

Project Connected is funded through a variety of funding sources including Measure A, STIP, and various local funding sources. However, a budget shortfall of $8.4 million has been identified. City staff are working to identify additional funding opportunities to close the budget shortfall. Utilizing Measure A funds, administered by Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), for Project Connect would provide a one-time, immediate solution. The movement of funds would close the budget shortfall and fully fund Project Connect.

The movement of Measure A funds to Project Connect has been under consideration for many years and on October 30, 2023, the Goleta City Council directed staff to work with SBCAG to request an amendment to the Measure A Investment Plan. Staff is actively working through this process now.

Learn more about Project Connect Funding and Measure A

Project Connect History

Project Connect, as it is currently named, started as a Santa Barbara County Public Works project to increase connectivity throughout Goleta and to the Airport. Over the last 20 years, the Goleta Public Works staff have moved the project forward through engineering, design, permitting, environmental processes, and right-of-way acquisitions and is ready to launch the City’s largest capital improvement project to date. Construction will start in spring 2024.

Measure A History

In 2008, 79 percent of Santa Barbara County residents, including those in incorporated Goleta, approved Measure A Road Repair, Congestion Relief and Transportation Safety Program. Measure A, administered by Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), will provide more than $1 billion over 30 years in estimated local sales tax revenues for transportation projects throughout Santa Barbara County. 

Autumn Glaeser
CIP Program Manager
aglaeser@cityofgoleta.org
(805) 562-5548