Bridge Replacements Will Reroute Traffic on 217 and 101 in Goleta

Judging by the skid marks, the unexpected narrowing of State Route 217 — also known as the Ward Memorial Highway — could cause issues as more people begin to return to UC Santa Barbara in advance of the fall quarter, which starts on September 28. SR 217 is also one of the faster ways to reach the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport and Goleta Beach Park via Sandspit Road.

For two nights, however, motorists who customarily use the 217 will want to take Fairview instead to get to the airport, the university, or Goleta Beach Park because the 217 will be closed. For several months, and with some delays, Caltrans has been notifying that it will be working to replace the bridge over San Jose Creek as it runs through the Goleta Slough. One side of the bridge will be rebuilt at a time — first the east (or the side headed toward the mountains), then the west (or the side headed toward the beach). 

The lanes going toward the beach, or west, are now narrowed to one as it goes over the bridge, and the lanes headed toward U.S. 101, or east, are to move onto that westbound side. A bicycle path will also be temporarily established on that westbound side.