$2.5 million to fund construction of a One-Stop Development and Permit Processing Center. This requested project is listed in materials submitted April 1, 2009 to the State of California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BTH).

Beyond those projects, the City is requesting $58 million in ARRA funds be approved to the State Department of Transportation (CalTrans) to widen the existing U.S. Highway 101 Santa Maria River Bridge. The City would not receive these funds.

The City submitted these requests in materials to the State BTH. The BTH divided California into 12 districts, based on CalTrans districts, and Santa Barbara County is in District 5 (also known as Region 5). The City staff met the submittal deadlines of April 1, 2009 for its work plan, and also participated in the District 5 Regional Economic Recovery Plan, filed June 1, 2009.

The District 5, Regional Economic Recovery Plan (Cover Letter) (The Plan) was prepared at the request of the State of California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BT&H). The purpose of the Plan is to maximize access to economic recovery funds for the counties, cities, special districts, and other organizations within California. The Plan covers the counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and San Benito. Eligible organizations were asked to submit detailed project information for each project that they anticipated receiving stimulus funds. Theses funds are being distributed to organizations through either formula based allocations or competitive grant applications.

The project includes the widening of existing bridge from four lanes to six lanes and construction of an adjacent bicycle and pedestrian path. The bridge widening is of State and national significance for travel and goods movement since it is a major north-south corridor connecting the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. The project will create over 1,000 jobs by analysts' estimates and benefit interregional commerce and provide long term congestion relief. Funding has begun. Some $1 million in Interregional STIP funds were secured in 2007 to fully fund project design. Another $10 million for project construction is included in the SBCAG Measure A local sales tax investment plan. IIP funding, STIP Augmentation, State and Federal transportation funds are also being pursued.