The approximately 20-foot-wide, 48-year-old concrete bridges are currently in substandard condition, with eroded substructures, restricted creek flow and narrow alignment.

According to Public Works Director John Cherbone, the new bridges will include retaining walls, drainage structures, additional landscaping and pedestrian walkways to increase safety and to minimize any potential for flooding.

When the plan was initially proposed to the city council in June 2001, staff estimated that the project would cost approximately $1.6 million, of which 80 percent would be funded by the Highway Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program and the remaining 20 percent equally distributed among the city of Saratoga, the town of Los Gatos and the Santa Clara Valley Water District as part of the cooperative agreement.

However, the scope of the federally aided project increased upon further assessment by contractors from A-N West Inc. Inspection revealed that the road approach required realignment in order to save and protect the existing mature oak trees at the northern bridge.

Due to the increased amount of work needed, the city requested and received an increase of $525,000 from the program. In addition, each of the three local contributors will be adding more than $47,000 to their initial share of $107,334.

Though the city is sharing equal financial responsibility with its partners, it will be the leading agency for the bridge replacement project and will oversee all design and environmental aspects.