New Bridge Planned at Goleta Beach Park
A new bridge will be built at the entrance to Goleta Beach Park.
The current bridge was built in the 1970’s.
A $3.2 million replacement project has been approved by the county.
The new bridge will be 168 feet long and have more space for pedestrians and bike riders.
That’s welcoming news to one rider, Nina Topinko, who is frustrated with the current bridge. “Not only is it not wide enough for bikes and cars, it’s also really gravelly and rough too. That pops tires. Especially when you come over that curve and shoot out, and then being in the middle of both lanes, it’s kind of scary all the time,” she said.
The current bridge will stay up until the new bridge is built nearby.
Goleta Beach Park has about 1.5 million visitors a year, many by car. A very active bike path cuts through the Goleta Valley to the beach and over to UC Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara County says plans for the project have included extensive protections for sensitive species in the slough adjacent to the park, where the bridge will be built.
