Blog/Updates

As of March 2023:

State Funds Approved for Modoc Path Project

The Modoc Multi-use Path project is one big step closer to being completed following an important and unanimous vote by the California Transportation Commission at its March 22 meeting in Los Angeles.

The Commission, made up of appointees by the Governor, approved the release of $621,000 to the County of Santa Barbara for design work that will include outreach to community stakeholders; seeking project approval from the La Cumbre Mutual Water Company and the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and preparation of construction plans.

Chris Sneddon, County Public Works Deputy Director, spoke at the commission hearing along with other project supporters including Assemblyman Gregg Hart’s o ffice, MOVESB County Executive Director Heather Deutsch and Trees and Trails Coalition representatives Jim Kemp and Autumn Brook.

Sneddon thanked the commissioners and their staff for their continuing partnership and investment in the County’s active transportation infrastructure for what proponents agree is an essential gap closure in the region’s established multi-use path network. When completed the 3/4 mile phase 2 Modoc path will connect the Obern Trail on the west through the Modoc Open Space to the County’s nearly completed phase 1 path project to the east which begins at Via Senda. Other recently completed or newly funded projects expand this 20 plus mile path system and include connections between Goleta, UCSB, Santa Barbara, the waterfront and Santa Barbara City College. Kemp, who attended the hearing at the historic Union Station in Los Angeles, said, “This state funding for the path project is so important to help make the Modoc Open Space accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Trees and Trails is looking forward to working with the County, the Land Trust and the La Cumbre Water Company and other stakeholders to help create the best path for the community that will make it safer and easier for those who want to use active and sustainable transportation instead of driving.”

Following completion of design, the County expects to begin construction of the path in 2024.
View the County's webpage for the Modoc Multi-Use Path project here: https://www.countyofsb.org/modocmup

View the meeting proceedings, including the public comment period and subsequent CTC vote, in the below video (Item #69 on the commission’s agenda, which starts at time 4:53:15 in the video):