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Supervising transportation planner outlines funded Lower East Side safety enhancements and schedule
Summary
Jessica Grant, supervising transportation planner, described funded intersection safety upgrades across Santa Barbara’s Lower East Side — curb extensions, high-visibility crossings, rapid‑flashing beacons and limited sidewalk infill — and said construction is planned to begin in November 2027 and end in June 2028.
Jessica Grant, supervising transportation planner, presented updated designs and the funding status for the Lower East Side Safety Enhancements project, saying the design is moving into final phase and construction is funded.
Grant said the project focuses on intersection safety across the Lower East Side, with targeted sidewalk infill on the 200 block of Alisos and proposed all-way stops, curb extensions and high-visibility crossings at multiple intersections. "Everywhere where you see the four red squares are proposed all-way stops with curb extensions," she said, summarizing map symbols used in the presentation.
The project uses curb extensions to shorten crossing distance and improve sight lines so drivers see pedestrians sooner, Grant said. "With the curb extensions, it lessens the amount of road exposure for pedestrians crossing the street," she said, adding the design also slows turning vehicles and reduces conflicts between drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
Grant gave examples and visual simulations including Kentos and Solidad to show how the curb extensions and rapid flashing beacons reduce exposure time in the roadway and improve line-of-sight. She also addressed resident concerns about parking too close to corners, saying curb extensions will prevent vehicles from blocking sight lines.
The Selenus corridor is included in the project scope: the team plans to infill street lighting along the corridor, add high-visibility crossings, and upgrade areas near Mason, Clifton and other key intersections. Grant noted planter areas may be added in places to complement curb extensions and crossings.
On schedule and funding, Grant said the design is funded and "we're anticipating construction to begin November 2027 with an end construction date of June of 2028." She said the work is advancing into final design during the summer months following the webinar.
The presentation included maps and visual simulations of proposed treatments. For more information about the Lower East Side Safety Enhancements and the project documentation, Grant directed listeners to the project webpage on the City of Santa Barbara website and to the Lower East Side Community Connectivity (LECC) contact channels.
