Mission Creek Bridge focus of proposed safety improvements and preservation
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The City of Santa Barbara will revisit proposed changes to the historic Mission Creek Bridge and Mission Canyon Rd. for the first time in three years. The area between the Old Santa Barbara Mission and Rocky Nook Park is arguably one of the most bucolic corridors in Santa Barbara. The crossing is also the subject of fierce debate.
In May of 2018, the Santa Barbara City Council gave the go-ahead to move forward on the Mission Canyon Bridge Project. At the time, more than $1 million in funding was earmarked for design and environmental studies.
The grassroots group, Coalition to Preserve Mission Canyon, was already circulating a petition in an effort to stop work long before it ever began.
On the flip side, members of the Mission Heritage Trails Association (MHTA), had invested six years researching ways to make safety improvements to the area while preserving the historic integrity of the pedestrian bridge, stone walls and tree-lined corridor.
Fast-forward to June of 2021, a Public Hearing with Santa Barbara Landmarks Commission (HLC) is now set for June 9.
MHTA wants to get word out to the public ahead of Wednesday's meeting. Their goal is to get residents' feedback for the Highway Bridge Program.
"The essential focus of this Association is to improve the safety of walkers, bikers, and vehicle riders traveling this exceptional historical corridor," said Fred Sweeney, MHTA Board President. "MHTA is committed to ensuring that any solution to this goal respects all the natural and historic treasures which have helped form today's Santa Barbara."
Rosanne Crawford with the Coalition to Preserve Mission Canyon said members have collected 854 signatures with their moveon.org petition from people opposing any change to the historic area.
You can join Wednesday's Public Hearing electronically at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/47489421833421580. (Note: You must register first to watch the meetings.)
