Transportation & Circulation Committee - October 22, 2026

The City of Santa Barbara Transportation & Circulation Committee met on October 22, 2026, to review the draft five-year Streets and Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and proposed FY 2028–29 budget. Staff described 61 projects, including six new entries, and said the CIP helps establish priorities and eligibility for grant applications. Proposed Measure C funding for the streets and transportation program is approximately $28 million in 2028 and $32 million in 2029, compared with about $11 million in FY 2027; pavement maintenance accounts for much of the proposed funding, with an identified annual need of roughly $25–26 million. Other street-capital sources provide approximately $2.5–4 million annually, while staff anticipates about $104 million in grant funding for projects. The CIP and budget remain drafts; staff expects to finalize figures internally, present the program to City Council around March 2027, and incorporate it into the citywide budget around May or June. No contracts, vendors, bids, or procurement awards were discussed, and the committee took no vote on the CIP or budget item.

Discussion covered pavement condition and maintenance funding, grant competitiveness and matching requirements, bridge and creek projects, and funding gaps for Safe Streets for All and other safety improvements. Committee members and public commenters urged the city to incorporate low-cost safety measures when repaving high-injury streets and to consider dedicated Vision Zero funding; these were recommendations and comments, not committee actions. Staff agreed to follow up with the liaison for the Fire and Police Commission about the possibility of a joint discussion on Vision Zero, complete streets, and enforcement. The committee separately approved the August 27 meeting minutes.