Goleta approves $2.6M contract to upgrade 32 traffic signals with safety features
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Summary
Goleta on Oct. 21 approved a $2.607M construction contract to upgrade signal equipment and pedestrian safety features at about 32 intersections, funded primarily by a Caltrans Highway Safety Improvement Program grant with a 10% local match.
The Goleta City Council on Oct. 21 voted unanimously to award a construction contract to upgrade synchronized hardware and safety features at roughly 32 signalized intersections across the city, using a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant administered by Caltrans.
The project will replace existing 8‑inch signal heads with 12‑inch heads and backplates for improved visibility, install or replace accessible pedestrian push buttons at 28 intersections, implement leading pedestrian intervals (LPIs) at 28 intersections, and add advanced dilemma‑zone detection at 19 intersections, city staff said. The work is designed to reduce pedestrian and vehicle collisions and to bring American Disabilities Act features to crossings.
Why it matters: staff estimated a roughly 13% collision reduction from LPIs and about a 40% reduction where dilemma‑zone detection is installed; the city will pay a 10% grant match. The council approved the construction contract, authorized a construction management services contract and adopted a categorical exemption under CEQA for the project.
Council action and contract terms - Contract award: construction contract with Alfaro Communications Construction, Inc., not to exceed $2,607,919.86 (mover/second not specified in the roll call record). The council also authorized contract change orders up to $260,791.97 (10% contingency). - Construction management: authorized execution of a professional services agreement with Willdan Engineering Inc. for construction management, inspection, public outreach and materials testing, not to exceed $186,904, with a termination date of Dec. 31, 2027. - Funding: the project is primarily funded through the federal HSIP grant; staff corrected a typo in the staff report to confirm a required 10% local match is budgeted. - Environmental review: council adopted a resolution finding the citywide traffic signal upgrade project categorically exempt from CEQA under state CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (existing facilities) as presented in the staff report.
Vote: Roll call recorded the ayes from Mayor Paula Perotti, Mayor Pro Tem Kasdan and Council members Smith and Reyes Martin; Council member Kyriaco was absent. The motion passed.
Public comment: Hannah Rietveld of Move Santa Barbara County urged the council to accept an alternate bid option that included audible accessible pedestrian push‑button activators and to implement 5‑second LPIs at crossings as a best practice under the city’s Vision Zero policy; staff said audible push buttons and LPIs are included in the proposed scope where funding allows.
Next steps: staff will execute the contracts, coordinate construction scheduling and public outreach, and pursue later capital investments to interconnect signals. Staff noted the HSIP cycle that funded dilemma‑zone detection will not routinely fund that equipment in future cycles, so this round presented a limited opportunity to install advanced detection technology.
The council asked staff to return with progress updates during construction and to continue exploring signal interconnect projects in future capital improvement plans.
