Over the next few months, construction workers will start work on the stretch of road between Prospect Road and the railroad tracks near Cox Avenue.

John Cherbone, the city's public works director, said that the street improvement project was one of biggest that the city has undertaken in the last 10 years.

"Some work has already started. But the digging will begin in the next few weeks," he said.

Caltrans provided $2 million for the project while the rest of the money comes from the Valley Transportation Authority.

"Once Highway 85 was built, Caltrans came to each of the cities and asked that we take over the maintenance of the old highway. They also sanctioned us money," Cherbone said.

One of the most noticeable components of the project is a sign at the corner of Saratoga-Sunnyvale and Prospect roads that will welcome people to the city. "We'll have the sign displayed on a low, curved wall. There will be decorative lights around the sign," Cherbone said.

The median near Prospect Road will also have decorative lights as well as trees, shrubs and flowers.

Cherbone said the city plans to develop a little area near Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road with picnic tables and benches. "It is not exactly a park. It is more like a little rest area where people can sit and eat, or read," he said.

Pedestrian access and sidewalks will be developed all along the project corridor while the road will be completely re-laid.

The intersection of Pierce and Saratoga-Sunnyvale roads will also see some improvements. "The incline between the two roads will be lessened," Cherbone said.

"We're putting in infrastructure at Kirkmont Drive for a possible traffic light in the future," Cherbone said. "Improvements will be made along the frontages of several business. We'll do some curb and gutter work."

There will be temporary lane closures as work on the project progresses. "Traffic will be stopped sometimes to get equipment across the street," he added.

The city plans to install temporary signs to indicate that businesses in the area are open during construction.

The Gateway Improvement Project is expected to be complete before the beginning of winter.

"Once it is complete, everyone will be proud of it. So we're asking people to be patient," he said. "I'm really excited about the project because this is a part of the city that hasn't gotten attention for a while."

Cherbone said that traffic might slow down in the area once the improvements are made. "People might drive slowly because of the medians. They might have more of a chance to look at existing businesses," he said.

He hopes that businesses in the area will be energized once the project is complete.

"Some of the buildings there are old. It would be nice if some of the owners start making improvements," he said. "Eventually we hope that businesses there will start doing better."