CityofGoleta
Join Us for Groundbreaking Ceremony on Monday, March 18
After years of planning and design, Project Connect is set to begin in March. Construction crews will begin work on Hollister Avenue, Ekwill Street and Fowler Road, as part of the multi-year project that will enhance pedestrian access and safety, improve road conditions, and build critical linkage throughout Goleta while increasing stormwater flow capacity in San Jose Creek under Hollister Bridge.
Project Connect is the largest capital improvement project in the City’s history and involves the collaboration of numerous stakeholders including Caltrans, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), City of Santa Barbara, and the County of Santa Barbara.
Here are the roadway improvements planned:
- Hollister Avenue Bridge & Roundabout Project – Construction of two roundabouts at the Hollister Avenue/State Route 217 ramp intersection to improve traffic flow. Additionally, a new bridge will be built over San Jose Creek to achieve 100-year storm flow capacity.
- Ekwill Street & Fowler Road Extension Projects – Improve east-west circulation north and south of Hollister Avenue, providing direct connections to portions of Old Town Goleta and the Santa Barbara Airport.
During construction, lane closures and detours will be in place. All businesses along the project alignment will remain open. Please follow road signs and proceed with caution. The City understands that long-term projects such as this one can be inconvenient for those that live in or visit the area, and we appreciate your patience in advance.
Night Work along Dearborn Place & Southbound Highway 217 Scheduled for Week of March 10
When: Sunday, March 10 through Thursday, March 14, 8:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.
Schedule is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Where: Between Highway 217 and the southbound Highway 217 offramp and between the southbound Highway 217 offramp and Dearborn Place.
The southbound Highway 217 offramp will be closed during the night construction work. Please plan additional travel time and use detours on Highway 101 and Sandspit Road.
Overnight street parking along Dearborn Place will be limited.
What: From approximately 8:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights (March 10 – 14), construction crews will be clearing land and trees. This work must be completed at night, per Caltrans regulations. Crews will work to minimize noise and other construction related impacts.
The City of Goleta recognizes the importance of trees in our community. To mitigate for the removed trees, Project Connect includes an extensive plant restoration program. Approximately 125 new trees and 6,500 new shrubs, which yields 5.34 acres of mitigation, will be planted at Lake Los Carneros and Ellwood Open Space.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
To commemorate the kickoff of construction, the City of Goleta is holding a groundbreaking ceremony in Old Town Goleta. We hope you will join us to celebrate this milestone.
Monday, March 18, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
5551 Hollister Avenue, Goleta
Please carpool when possible. On-site parking is limited. Additional parking is available at Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park or on S. Kellogg Avenue.
Project milestones, traffic impacts, and other important Project Connect information will be shared on the City’s website: www.CityofGoleta.org/ProjectConnect.
For additional information, or questions, please email Connect@CityofGoleta.org or call 805-690-5116.
