Los Gatos Creek Trailhead Connector to Hwy 9

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Project Location

The project site is located at the intersection of the Los Gatos Creek Trail and Highway 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 proposes to construct a pedestrian switchback ramp from the north side of Highway 9 to the Los Gatos Creek Trail below and a bicycle and pedestrian ramp on the south side of Highway 9 leading from University Avenue, crossing a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Los Gatos Creek to provide access to the Los Gatos Creek Trail.

We encourage interested parties to subscribe to the “NOTIFY ME” service located on the left hand side of this page. Those who are enrolled in the Notify Me service will receive either a text message or e-mail each time there is new information posted to the project page.

Any questions regarding the project design can be referred to the Interim Town Engineer, James Watson, at (408) 354-5236 or JWatson@losgatosca.gov.

Project Updates

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.

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 8th 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.

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 13th 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 13th 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 3rd 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.

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. 

Location map of proposed Highway 9 pathway connector to the Los Gatos Creek Trail

Los Gatos Creek Trail Connector to Hwy 9 Meeting Presentations

To view the location map in high resolution, please click the link below:

Los Gatos Creek Trail Connector to Hwy 9 Consultant Services