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09-14-08, 03:43 PM
To all local bicyclists,
Last Tuesday, Sept 9th, Wilson Hubbell & I represented the SB Bicycle
Coalition at Caltrans' public hearing in Carpinteria on widening 6 miles
of Highway 101. The section in question is targeted for a $151 million
roadway project between Mobile Pier in Ventura County, and Casitas Pass
Road in Santa Barbara County.
Thankfully, some bicyclists from Ventura also attended & spoke for our
safety, but we were a small minority out of the crowd of 150 people.?
However, you can still voice your thoughts to Caltrans before Sept 22 by
writing to:
? Ronald Kosinski, Deputy District Director
? Division of Environmental Planning
? Department of Transportation, District 7
? 100 South Main Street, MS 16A
? Los Angeles, CA 90012
The main benefit to bicyclists is the proposed new 2-direction bikepath
on the mountain side of Highway 101.? It would connect with Bates Road on
the north, & the old Rincon Highway on the south.? We had thought that it
would definitely be part of the project, but at the meeting we were told
that there is a 10% chance it will not be built.? It's important that you
write & ask for it.
A reason not to create the path is because La Conchita residents would
have to walk on it for a while to access an upcoming tunnel to the ocean.
However, they spoke about an existing culvert that they currently use to
pass under the UP railroad & 101; Caltrans said that they might just be
able to deepen it instead of building a new tunnel.? That would eliminate
any conflict with cyclists, & increase the likelihood of getting the
bikepath.? It's also something for you to ask for.
Finally, there are 2 alternative plans: a "Minimum Build" & a "Full
Build."? We favor the Minimum Build because it will have narrower inside
shoulders on the roadway, leaving more room for biking on the ocean side
of 101, & increasing space for the bikepath on the mountain side.?
Caltrans right-of-way is constrained by the ocean on one side, & the
railroad on the other, so space is tight.
If you know of other groups that you can email this to, please do so.? We
have to let Caltrans know what we want -- just do it before Sept 22nd.
Finally, Caltrans has additional plans to widen the existing culverts
under 101 that can jam up after heavy rain.? Plus, they would buy a
sweeper for the bikepath to keep it clean.? There were 2 write-ups about
the meeting in the Ventura Star & Carpinteria Coastal View; only the CV
mentioned bicycling.? Good for them.? And good for us!
~~ Ralph Fertig, President
~~ Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition
Last Tuesday, Sept 9th, Wilson Hubbell & I represented the SB Bicycle
Coalition at Caltrans' public hearing in Carpinteria on widening 6 miles
of Highway 101. The section in question is targeted for a $151 million
roadway project between Mobile Pier in Ventura County, and Casitas Pass
Road in Santa Barbara County.
Thankfully, some bicyclists from Ventura also attended & spoke for our
safety, but we were a small minority out of the crowd of 150 people.?
However, you can still voice your thoughts to Caltrans before Sept 22 by
writing to:
? Ronald Kosinski, Deputy District Director
? Division of Environmental Planning
? Department of Transportation, District 7
? 100 South Main Street, MS 16A
? Los Angeles, CA 90012
The main benefit to bicyclists is the proposed new 2-direction bikepath
on the mountain side of Highway 101.? It would connect with Bates Road on
the north, & the old Rincon Highway on the south.? We had thought that it
would definitely be part of the project, but at the meeting we were told
that there is a 10% chance it will not be built.? It's important that you
write & ask for it.
A reason not to create the path is because La Conchita residents would
have to walk on it for a while to access an upcoming tunnel to the ocean.
However, they spoke about an existing culvert that they currently use to
pass under the UP railroad & 101; Caltrans said that they might just be
able to deepen it instead of building a new tunnel.? That would eliminate
any conflict with cyclists, & increase the likelihood of getting the
bikepath.? It's also something for you to ask for.
Finally, there are 2 alternative plans: a "Minimum Build" & a "Full
Build."? We favor the Minimum Build because it will have narrower inside
shoulders on the roadway, leaving more room for biking on the ocean side
of 101, & increasing space for the bikepath on the mountain side.?
Caltrans right-of-way is constrained by the ocean on one side, & the
railroad on the other, so space is tight.
If you know of other groups that you can email this to, please do so.? We
have to let Caltrans know what we want -- just do it before Sept 22nd.
Finally, Caltrans has additional plans to widen the existing culverts
under 101 that can jam up after heavy rain.? Plus, they would buy a
sweeper for the bikepath to keep it clean.? There were 2 write-ups about
the meeting in the Ventura Star & Carpinteria Coastal View; only the CV
mentioned bicycling.? Good for them.? And good for us!
~~ Ralph Fertig, President
~~ Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition