Residents along Spencer Avenue can look forward to a smoother street, better sidewalks and improved drainage in their neighborhood.

The reconstruction of Spencer Avenue is expected to begin in October and finish by February 2005, Paul Izadyar, associate engineer from the San Jose Transportation and Development Services, Public Works Department, told residents at the Greater Gardner Coalition's May 23 meeting.

The project will involve replacing old sewer pipes with larger ones to increase flow capacity. It will also improve storm drains to provide better drainage. The project will repave Spencer Avenue, replace the curbs, sidewalks, driveways and add wheelchair ramps.

Izadyar said there will be inconveniences during the construction, such as the temporary removal of curbside parking and construction noise.

"You've been waiting for this for more than 10 years," he said. "We hope you can raise your levels of tolerance a little bit for about three to four months."

Before the project is put out for bidding, Izadyar plans to meet with residents individually to address any concerns they might have and incorporate the requested changes if possible.

The reconstruction of Spencer Avenue is part of the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative group, Greater Gardner Coalition's top 10 street repair priorities. Work along Delmas Avenue was completed in December and reconstruction along Minor Avenue will begin in August.

DUI program reduces
number of accidents

The San Jose Police Department was honored by the California Office of Traffic Safety on May 26 for its implementation of a DUI Enforcement Campaign that lowered alcohol-involved fatal and injury collisions during the 2004 fiscal year.

During that time, the number of fatal and injury collisions dropped from 4,061 to 3,202, a 21 percent decrease from the previous year. Alcohol-involved fatal and injury collisions dropped 37 percent, from 264 to 167; hit and run fatal and injury collisions dropped 34 percent, from 444 to 291; and nighttime fatal and injury collisions dropped by 27 percent, from 536 to 393.

The focus of the program was to reduce death and injuries caused by intoxicated drivers and to increase the use of seatbelts.

To achieve these results, San Jose police implemented education and public outreach programs, working in collaboration with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Santa Clara County Traffic Safe Communities Network.

These efforts include officer training, seatbelt challenges in local schools, targeted enforcement, saturation patrols, equipment purchases and DUI sobriety checkpoints.