Santa Barbara County Approves Modoc Multi Use Path Construction

News Summary

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has approved a $6.5 million construction contract for Phase II of the Modoc Multi Use Path. This project aims to create an extensive 8-mile-long network that connects Isla Vista to Arroyo Burro Beach, enhancing safety and accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians. The initiative will address current safety concerns on Modoc Road by providing a separated pathway and additional pedestrian crossings. Construction is set to begin in the fall, marking a significant investment in community infrastructure.

Santa Barbara – On August 19, 2025, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors officially approved a construction contract for Phase II of the Modoc Multi Use Path, with a budget set at $6.5 million. This important project will complete an extensive 8-mile-long Class I (multi-use) path network connecting Isla Vista to Arroyo Burro Beach and the City of Santa Barbara.

The Modoc Multi Use Path is designed to enhance the biking and walking experience, catering to individuals of all ages and abilities. This new path will extend from the existing Obern Trail at the western Encore Drive intersection to the intersection of Via Senda, effectively linking with the recently finished Phase I section of the path, which was approved by the board in 2022 and completed in August 2023.

According to Second District Supervisor Laura Capps, the project is anticipated to significantly improve community safety for cyclists and pedestrians. Currently, Modoc Road is known for its high-speed minor arterial characteristics, which include a speed limit of 45 mph and a lack of a continuous ADA-compliant pathway. This, combined with mainly Class II bike lanes that are predominantly used by experienced cyclists, raises safety concerns.

The new project aims to address these issues by offering a separated pathway for both cyclists and pedestrians, adding several new pedestrian crossings. These improvements will facilitate safer access to residential neighborhoods and the Modoc Path, encouraging increased use of active transportation.

This construction initiative is prominently featured in several planning frameworks, including the Eastern Goleta Valley Community Plan, the County Active Transportation Plan, and the SBCAG Regional Active Transportation Plan. It reflects the commitment of local authorities to enhance transportation infrastructure that supports both safety and accessibility.

Funding for the Modoc Multi Use Path project has been secured from various sources, including:

• County General Fund: $1.1 million
• State Active Transportation Program Grant: $2.6 million
• County Service Area 3 Special District: $1 million
• Measure A: $1.3 million
• State Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account: $500,000

Construction activities are anticipated to commence in the fall of 2025. This initiative represents a significant investment in infrastructure aimed at fostering a more bike and pedestrian-friendly community.

Residents are encouraged to visit the official project page of the County of Santa Barbara for further details and updates regarding the construction and ongoing developments of the Modoc Multi Use Path project.

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Additional Resources

• The Independent: Supervisors Approve Modoc Path Construction Contract
• Wikipedia: Active Transportation
• edhat: Santa Barbara County Advances Modoc Multi-Use Path Project
• Google Search: Active Transportation Santa Barbara
• Noozhawk: Last Section of Modoc Multi-Use Path Inches Closer to Completion
• Google Scholar: Multi Use Paths Santa Barbara
• The Independent: Filling in the Missing Modoc Gap
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Multi Use Pathways
• Noozhawk: Landscaping Plan Approved for Modoc Road Trail
• Google News: Modoc Multi Use Path