Santa Barbara Engineers to Curb Cliff Drive Dangers

When the Santa Barbara City Council worked out a deal with the state, Highway 225, also known as Cliff Drive became a city street.

Since January, the city has been working on a new safety plant.

Traffic engineers introduced ideas to the drivers and Mesa residents on Wednesday.

The city could apply for a $900,000 safety grant in the spring that would pay for restriping Cliff Drive between Mesa Lane and Meigs Road, and from Weldon Road to Loma Alta Drive to make room for a left-turn-lane, and bike lanes.

The money would also pay for a traffic signal at the Santa Barbara City College West Campus Driveway.

The city is already building a roundabout on Cliff Drive and Las Positas.

With grant funding both projects would be slated for completion in 2017.

Residents who were not able to attend the discussion of the safety changes at Monroe Elementary School auditorium on Wednesday night can log into www.santabarbaraca.gov/CliffDrive.

An online comment form is included on the website.