Los Gatos Creek Trailhead Connector to Hwy 9

Project Description

The Los Gatos Creek Trail to Highway 9 Trailhead Connector Project will provide access for bicycles and pedestrians between Highway 9 and the Los Gatos Creek Trail. The project is being led by the Town of Los Gatos with a permit from Caltrans, since the project is located within Caltrans’ property along Highway 9.

The project will construct a pedestrian switchback trail access between the north side of Highway 9 and the Los Gatos Creek Trail and a bicycle/pedestrian trail access on the south side of Highway 9 leading from University Avenue that includes a new bridge over Los Gatos Creek. The following Location Map shows the location of the project improvements and the new north and south side trailheads.

We encourage interested parties to subscribe to the “Notify Me®” service using the link in the navigation panel at the bottom of this webpage. Those who are enrolled in Notify Me will receive either a text message or an e-mail each time there is new information posted to this project information page.

Any questions regarding the project can be referred to Sean Rose, Special Projects Manager, at srose@losgatosca.gov or (408) 827-3552.

Update 10-30-2023

Construction-phase contracts are now in place with project contractor Granite Construction, construction manager Zoon Engineering, and design firm Mott MacDonald. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 12, 2023 at the project site. Construction notices have been sent to residents/businesses near the project area and project information notices/signs have been posted on the trail and on Highway 9.

The project construction schedule is currently Fall 2023 to Fall 2024. Any changes to the schedule will be posted on the project information signs and to this webpage.

Occasional lane closures and associated traffic delays should be anticipated on eastbound and westbound Highway 9 throughout construction. Said closures will likely also affect traffic on University Avenue and surrounding roads at times. Any lane closures associated with the project will be noticed with appropriate advance signage located on the affected roads.

Project construction contacts are as follows:

Owner: Town of Los Gatos (408) 399-5771
Contractor: Granite Construction (408) 327-7000
Construction Manager: Zoon Engineering (650) 450-3507

The project now has the following QR code that when scanned on your phone links to links to this project information webpage. The QR code is posted on project information signs at the project site.

Update 07-28-23

At the upcoming August 1st Town Council meeting, the Town Council is scheduled to consider several actions that are necessary to allow the project to move forward into construction. The actions to be considered include the award of a construction agreement with Granite Construction for the project construction; the approval of a second amendment to the consultant services agreement with Mott MacDonald Group for Construction Support Services from the design engineering team; and the award of a consultant services agreement with Zoon Engineering for Construction Management, Inspection, and Materials Testing Services.

The staff report for the meeting can be found in August 1 Council Meeting Agenda (#9 in Agenda items).

Should the Town Council approve the recommended actions, the project is anticipated to begin construction in September 2023 and be completed by the end of 2024.

Updates to the project start date and construction schedule will be posted to the project page as the information becomes available.

Update 06-27-23

On April 6th, the Town received 5 bids for the construction of the project. Unfortunately, all bids greatly exceeded the available project budget. After a thorough evaluation of the bids received and the current construction climate, it was determined that the bids received were representative of the current cost to construct the project.

Over the past several months, Town staff has been actively pursuing additional grant funding opportunities and developing a revised funding plan that would allow the project to move forward into construction. On June 6th, the Town Council approved a revised funding plan for the project which includes an additional $2,842,000 in grants from the One Bay Area Grant program.

Town staff is now finalizing the consultant selection process to provide the Town with the necessary construction management, inspection, and materials testing services for the project. It is anticipated both the construction contract award and the award of the consultant services agreements will be presented to the Town Council in August of this year. If approved, construction is anticipated to begin this fall, with completion currently estimated by the end of 2024.

NOTIFY ME SERVICES – please note new location at bottom of project page

As the project moves into construction, frequent updates will be posted to this project page. To stay informed of the current project status, the project team encourages interested parties to sign up for the “Notify Me” services now located along the ribbon at the bottom of the project page Signing up for this service will provide the subscriber with a text or e-mail each time the project page is updated, keeping the subscriber up to date with the most current project information.

Update 03-24-23:

The trail connector project construction plans and specifications are now out to bid. The scheduled opening date for the bids is April 6, 2023. Following the receipt and review of the bids, the lowest responsible bid will be presented to the Town Council at the May 16, 2023 Council Meeting. Additionally at this meeting, it is anticipated a recommendation for a Construction Management, Inspection, and Materials Testing Services Agreement will also be presented to the Town Council to provide consultant construction management and the construction related services necessary for the successful delivery of the project. Construction is currently estimated to begin in June 2023 and completion is anticipated in the late summer/early fall of 2024.

Update 01-11-23:

Final Draft Project Plans and Specifications

The final draft project plans and specifications for the construction of the Los Gatos Creek Trail to Highway 9 Trailhead Connector Project have been completed and approved by Caltrans. The final draft project plans and specifications will now be presented to the Town Council at their January 17th, 2023 Town Council Meeting for consideration of approval and authorization to advertise and solicit bids for the project’s construction. Additionally, the Town Council will consider the release of a Request for Proposals for Construction Management, Inspection, and Materials Testing Services to assist the Town in the construction and delivery of the final project improvements. The final draft project plans and specifications can be viewed using the following links:

It is anticipated that bids for the project construction will be due and opened on March 23, 2023, with construction anticipated to begin in June 2023.

Comments or questions regarding the project, project plans or specifications can be e-mailed to MQuinney@losgatosca.gov.

Update 02-24-22:

Project Funding Plan for Town Council’s Consideration

The construction cost is estimated at approximately $5.8 million. The Town is considering three grant programs to fund the construction phase. The total grant amount is potentially from $4,880,000 to $5,390,000. At the March 1 meeting, the Town Council will consider staff’s recommendations of a funding plan and financial commitments to meet the requirements of the grant programs. The total financial commitment of local funds, assuming success with all three grants, is estimated at between $400,000 and $1,000,000.

Project Design and Construction Schedule

The draft final plans and specifications for the project have been completed and are now under review by Caltrans and the Town. Following the completion of the reviews, the project team will evaluate and address comments prior to preparation of the final contract documents to Caltrans in May. The final contract documents will be posted on the project page at that time.

As the project is to be constructed within the Caltrans right of way, there will be several additional clearances and certifications that will be required before the project can be issued a permit from Caltrans for construction. It is anticipated that the remaining project clearances can be obtained by September of 2022. Should construction funding be available at that time, the project could be advertised for construction bids with a potential construction start in late 2022/early 2023. At this time, it is anticipated that construction of the project would take 12-18 months.

Update 05-04-21

The Town of Los Gatos, Parks and Public Works Department, hosted an on-line community meeting for the Los Gatos Creek Trail to Highway 9 Trailhead Connector Project, on April 29, 2021. The project team solicited valuable community input regarding the current project design. Please click on the link below to access the powerpoint presentation that was shared.

Community Meeting Presentation

Update 04-14-21

An on-line community meeting for the Los Gatos Creek Trail to Highway 9 Trailhead Connector Project is set to be held on April 29, 2021.

At the meeting, the project team will provide an overview of the project and will solicit input from the community regarding the current design. This will be the second community meeting for the project. Public notification for the meeting included mailings to properties in the vicinity of the project (as included above), as well as postings on the Town’s website, NextDoor and social media sites. The Town’s Complete Streets and Transportation Commission was briefed on the project at their April 8^th Commission meeting.

Following the community meeting, the project team will use input from the community, commission meetings and other stakeholders to continue onto the final design of the project. Final design of the project is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year, with the final Caltrans permit anticipated in early 2022. Funding for construction of the project has not yet been secured, however staff is actively pursuing potential funding opportunities. Should funding for the construction of the project be obtained, it is anticipated the project would be advertised and awarded in early 2022 with construction completed by the Spring of 2023.

Community Meeting Presentation

Update 01-28-20

A community meeting to discuss the preliminary layout for the Los Gatos Creek Trail to Highway 9 Trailhead Connector Project has been scheduled for Thursday, February 13^th beginning at 6 PM in the Town Council Chambers. Town staff, with assistance from the design consultant Mott MacDonald Group, will provide an overview of the project and will solicit input from the community regarding the initial layout and potential bicycle/pedestrian bridge types. This will be the first community meeting for the project. Public notification for the meeting includes mailings to properties in the vicinity of the project, as well as postings on the Town’s website, and NextDoor. The Town’s Complete Streets and Transportation Commission will also be notified of the community meeting and will receive a similar briefing on the project at their February 13^th Commission meeting. Using input from the community and commission meetings, the design consultant will prepare a revised design for the Council’s consideration at the March 3^rd Town Council Meeting. Final design of the project is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year, with Caltrans approvals anticipated in early 2021. Funding for construction of the project has not yet been secured, however staff is actively pursuing funding opportunities, including the upcoming Measure B program.

Community Meeting Flyer

Update 01-23-20

On Thursday, 1/23 and Friday, 1/24, drilling contractors working for Mott MacDonald, the Town’s design consultant for the Los Gatos Creek Trail Connector Project, are scheduled to take two soil samples in the vicinity of Highway 9 and Los Gatos Creek. The first sample will be taken along the shoulder of eastbound Highway 9 and the second sample will be taken on the east side of the Los Gatos Creek Trail beneath the Highway 9 overpass. It is anticipated these borings may reach as deep as 100’ below existing grades. These samples will be used to gain geotechnical information necessary for design of the future bicycle and pedestrian trail connections between Highway 9 and Los Gatos Creek Trail. Work alongside the Los Gatos Creek Trail will not result in a closure of the creek trail, however, minor delays may occur as the drilling rig is escorted into and out of the drilling area. The drilling contractor will be posting advance warning signs for creek trail users and will provide safe access around the drilling equipment. An encroachment permit from Caltrans has been obtained in order to complete this work in the Caltrans right of way.

Project Overview

The Town of Los Gatos, Parks and Public Works Department, is excited to announce the beginning of an important Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project that will provide bicycle and pedestrian access from Highway 9 to the Los Gatos Creek Trail.

This project was first identified during the development of the Town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, which began in April of 2016. Following a series of community meetings and through close coordination with the Town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC), a final Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was developed and ultimately adopted by the Town Council in February of 2017. The Master Plan provides the Town with a roadmap for enhancing bicycle and pedestrian mobility throughout the Town by identifying and prioritizing projects, policies and programs that will help make Los Gatos a more comfortable place to bike and walk.

The Los Gatos Creek Trail to Highway 9 Trailhead Connector Project was identified in the Master Plan as a high priority project to be completed within 1-5 years. Town staff worked to obtain federal grant funding for the design of the Trailhead Connector Project and subsequently, Mott MacDonald Group, an engineering design consultant, was hired to begin the design process for the project. During the design process, there will be several opportunities for community input.