CalTrans 2010 Highway 9 Improvements

CalTrans is scheduling a highway safety project for Highway 9 (from Big Basin way in Saratoga village to the summit) that will probably go to bid in February and start construction April 2010.  The cost to the state is 10 million dollars.  Three 20 mph hairpin turns (as you go up  to the Summit on Hwy 9) will be straightened out and concrete retaining walls will be installed.    One is just up from Hakone; the second is near Sanborn Road/Saratoga Springs; and the third is the extreme hairpin below Skyline Blvd.

This construction will result in temporary traffic delays and will even impact traffic in Saratoga village, but the improvements will help safety on a beautiful, but curvy stretch of road and ultimately improve home values in this mountainous part of Saratoga.  Click>here for the environmental impact report.

For those of you who are asking about the Big Basin redo, bids for the project will be accepted sometime in February.  The project plans will be on the City web site.  Construction will maybe begin in April.  The three affected areas are the Starbucks crosswalk, Third St. and Fourth st.  Bulbouts will be constructed giving the street a more pleasant look and also will slow down traffic.  More information will be coming .  Keep on eye on the City web site www.saratoga.ca.us.
Plans for the Village sign being paid for by the SVDC are almost finished and will be submitted to the City Council for approval soon.  You will be given an opportunity to comment before that.