Upcoming Community Meetings for the Castillo Street Undercrossing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Improvements Project

Upcoming Community Meetings for the Castillo Street Undercrossing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Improvements Project

Please join us online Wednesday, May 27, and in-person on Thursday, May 28, to learn more about the latest design updates and next steps to implement the Castillo Street Undercrossing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Improvements Project (Project).

With community participation, the City has developed conceptual plans for pedestrian and bicycle facility improvements within the Castillo Street Undercrossing and along the approaches to the undercrossing. The purpose of the Project is to increase the safety of this critical walking and biking connection between the West Downtown and Waterfront neighborhoods, and provide safe access to coastal attractions, McKinley Elementary School, and Santa Barbara City College. With City Council's support, City staff plan to submit the grant application in June 2026.

Virtual Community Meeting
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Register for the Zoom webinar

In-Person Community Meeting
Thursday, May 28, 2026
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Intersection of Haley and De La Vina Streets (on the sidewalk).

At these meetings, the City will show the latest design plans, which includes:

1. Raised Bike and Pedestrian Facilities: A raised, shared bike and pedestrian facility on Castillo Street within the Castillo/U.S. 101 Undercrossing. This design elevates cyclists out of the wet roadway, improving safety.
   
2. Enhanced Pedestrian Facilities: Widened and separated sidewalks, new street trees, and lighting along the 300 block of Castillo Street as well as a widened, separated sidewalk and street trees on the 300 West block of Haley Street.
   
3. Southbound Bike Lane Enhancements: A raised bike lane between the undercrossing and Montecito Street, including a dedicated bike signal and restricted right-turn for vehicles at the intersection of Castillo and Montecito Streets. This will allow students to cross safely to a planned shared-use path leading directly to SBCC and McKinley Elementary School (path construction scheduled for 2027).
   
4. Raised Bike Path to Waterfront/Pershing Park (modification from shared path to raised bike path adjacent to existing sidewalk for southbound and northbound routes): Continuing southbound on Castillo Street, residents will have access to a raised bike path leading to Cabrillo Boulevard and the heart of the Waterfront area, including beaches, the Harbor, restaurants, recreation, and jobs. Additionally, it leads to Pershing Park, home of the Santa Barbara Foresters and various adult and youth recreation leagues and connects to the Beachway multi-use path. There will also be a raised northbound bike lane for the return route back to Downtown and to SBCC.
   
5. Buffered bike lanes will be added to Castillo Street between Haley and Cota Streets, connecting the Undercrossing to the existing Cota Street bike route.
   
6. Class II and IV Bike Facilities: A raised, protected eastbound bike lane on the 200 West block of Haley Street, and an eastbound on-street bike lane on the 300 West block of Haley Street. This connection completes the final gap in biking facilities along Haley Street, connecting Downtown to the Eastside Neighborhood.

For more Project information, please view: Castillo Street Undercrossing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Improvements | City of Santa Barbara