Los Patos Underpass Removal Project

As part of the Caltrans U.S. 101 HOV and Widening Project’s 4E North Segment, the Highway 101 southbound off-ramp at Los Patos Way will permanently close. Once the off-ramp is closed, the Los Patos Underpass Project (Project) will remove the underpass, Bridge No. 51-0235, and fill in the underpass with compacted soil and reinstall the UPRR track on top of the fill. Landscaping will replace the former off-ramp. The terminus of Los Patos Way at the former underpass will be turned into a cul-de-sac. There will be gated access at the end of the cul-de-sac for maintenance access.

There will be a temporary shoofly (rail bypass) constructed between the Project and the Cabrillo and Los Patos Roundabout Project to allow continued train travel during the construction of both projects. The shoofly will be created once the retaining walls for the new Cabrillo/Highway 101 interchange are constructed as part of the U.S. 101 HOV and Widening Project’s 4E North Segment. Funding is still pending for the Cabrillo/UPRR Bridge Replacement Project and the U.S. 101 HOV and Widening Project’s 4E North Segment. If state funding is awarded, construction is anticipated to begin in 2025 and completed in 2028.
 

The removal of the underpass and closure of the Los Patos Way off-ramp is a necessary safety measure and a contingency of the UPRR in order to reconstruct the UPRR Bridge over Cabrillo Boulevard. Construction of the UPRR Bridge is a critical access connection for all road users that connect to the HOV Project and Los Patos/Cabrillo Roundabout that is currently under construction. Critical and safe walking, biking, and driving connections to the Eastside, Montecito, and Waterfront will be realized, with all of these projects.

California Environmental Quality Act Initial Study

The City of Santa Barbara (City) is the Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The CEQA Initial Study showed that the Project may have a potentially significant effect on the following resources:

• Aesthetics;
• Biological Resources;
• Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources (removal of Structure of Merit);
• Hazards and Hazardous Materials; and
• Land Use and Planning (removal of Structure of Merit)

An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be prepared to evaluate these potential effects.

Notice of Preparation

The City has prepared this Notice of Preparation (NOP) to inform agencies and interested parties that an EIR will be prepared for the Los Patos Underpass Removal Project (proposed Project). This NOP solicits guidance from regulatory agencies about the scope and content of environmental information related to the agencies’ statutory responsibilities in the EIR. The agencies will use the EIR when considering their permits or other approvals related to the Los Patos Underpass Removal Project. The NOP offers an opportunity for interested parties to inform the City regarding environmental issues they feel should be addressed in the EIR. 

Public Scoping Meeting

Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024

Location: Palm Park Beach House (236 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA 93103)

Time: 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Public Meeting will be open to all interested parties to comment on the Scope of the Los Patos Underpass Removal Project’s focused Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Please refer to the issue areas as listed above under Environmental Review and the CEQA Initial Study circulated with the  Notice of Preparation (NOP).