Consensus Emerging on Possible Solutions to Highway 217 Impasse

By Kerri Webb and Vic Cox

Significant progress has been made toward resolving the impasse between UCSB and Santa Barbara County over possible future modifications to state Highway 217, according to participants in the revived negotiations. After several months of talks brokered by Caltrans mediators, two workshops involving 20 representatives of interested parties produced three possible solutions to create access to southern Old Town Goleta without placing stop lights on Hwy. 217. These proposals are being scrutinized for engineering feasibility, according to Scott Cooper and Harry Nelson, co-chairs of the campus's Hwy. 217 Review Committee. "Now we're all moving together," said Cooper, professor of ecology, evolution, and marine biology. "But it is premature to say that we have a solution to offer for public discussion." "We at UCSB are pleased with the progress that has been made and recognize the hard work and creativity that has been dedicated to this project by all the parties involvedÑthe county, the community, and the university," said Chancellor Henry T. Yang. "Caltrans has performed an important service by organizing a process aimed at producing a recommendation that will be acceptableto all stakeholders." County Supervisor Susan Rose added how satisfying it was "that the stakeholdergroup has identified a project concept, and we look forward to the final engineering analysis in January. The dedication and hard work displayed by all sides is a positive example of inter-agency cooperation, and I am optimistic that we have found a potential solution that will help us move Old Town redevelopment forward." Supervisor Gail Marshall commented that she was "optimistic about the work product and hopeful that the parties involved in the process can successfully educate their communities on the added value these solutions bring to the table." Emphasizing that "a lot of loose ends" need to be tied up to gain a workable proposal, Nelson, a professor of physics, pointed out that though all three options are under study, one was deemed mutually acceptable to all workshop participants. Known as SB 3, this plan is a top priority for the analysis. The SB 3 plan envisions on and off ramps on only the southbound side of 217 that connect to a roundabout (point C on the map) on an extended Ekwill Street where the Page Hotel is expected to be built. Northbound traffic would exit on the existing ramp to Ward Drive, traversing the new eastern roundabout (point B) to enter Hollister Ave. To ease traffic congestion on Hollister and to reduce traffic accidents, SB 3 proposes a roundabout on each side of 217 where it crosses Old Town's main thoroughfare. Kellogg Road would be extended to the western roundabout (point A). Roundabouts are also planned at the junctions of Pine and Ekwill and at Fairview and Fowler. Nelson and Cooper expect the engineering analysis, which is due soon, to kick off public discussions and meetings. "The faculty have strong views about the importance of the Hwy. 217 project to the future of the campus," said Academic Senate Chair Richard Watts. "We are delighted to hear that the diligent efforts of our representatives, working closely with the county staff, Caltrans, and others, have led to a breakthrough that appears likely to address the concerns of all parties." As Chancellor Yang said, "This process has established a foundation for future collaboration, which we consider an important asset as we move forward."

	Roundabouts on Goleta city street intersctions, combined with on and off ramps for southbound state Highway 217, are under study as a possible means of opening Old Town for redevelopment.