The De La Vina Street area of Santa Barbara is undergoing significant changes as the city prepares for the De La Vina Street Bridge Replacement Project. This essential infrastructure undertaking has led to the closure of the last of four businesses situated on parcels acquired by the City of Santa Barbara. Mishay Salon joins YellowBird, Marty’s Pizza, and De La Vina Liquor in ceasing operations at this location to make way for the creek widening project.
According to Eric Goodall, Supervising Engineer for the Streets Engineering Design Team, construction is slated to commence in Spring of next year. The project, anticipated to last two years, is necessary to replace the aging De La Vina Street Bridge over Mission Creek. The phased construction approach is critical due to the extensive utilities embedded within the bridge structure, ensuring continuous traffic flow along De La Vina Street throughout the duration.
The current bridge, estimated to be between 75 and 100 years old, is considered structurally deficient and lacks historical significance, making its replacement a priority for the city. The construction will involve a meticulous process, beginning with the demolition of the downstream (west) side, followed by the upstream (east) side. Each phase is expected to take approximately one year.
Upon completion in 2027, the area surrounding the De La Vina Street Bridge will be transformed. The project includes creek restoration in the area formerly occupied by the businesses, introducing trees and revitalizing the space. The new De La Vina Street Bridge will be wider, featuring expanded sidewalks to enhance pedestrian accessibility and safety, alongside improved vehicle safety. Crucially, the bridge’s capacity to handle storm events will be increased to manage what Goodall described as “25-year floods,” addressing current vulnerabilities where heavy water flows impact the bridge structure.
Funding for the $11,750,000 De La Vina Street Bridge Replacement Project is a combination of the Federal Aid Highway Bridge Program and local city funds, with plans submitted to Caltrans for additional financial support. This investment reflects the City of Santa Barbara’s commitment to upgrading critical infrastructure, enhancing safety, and improving the local environment around De La Vina Street for the long term.
