Before construction could begin, the San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services department needed a maintenance agreement between the city and the state of California. The agreement approved by the San Jose City Council on Jan. 24 makes the city responsible for the upkeep of the Interstate 280 undercrossing section of the trail extension. This portion of the trail is state-owned land.

Bidding for the construction contract will begin in mid-February. Construction of the trail extension is scheduled to begin June 1.

"June 1 is an important date because in order to protect the waterway during the rainy season, we can only build between June 1 and Oct. 15," Yves Zsutty, San Jose trail program manager, said.

The new stretch of trail will extend from Lincoln and Coe avenues to Auzerais Avenue.

"This trail creates a recreational amenity and an opportunity to get closer to the creek and shortcuts to ultimately get to downtown," Zsutty said. "Residents will be able to walk or bike to events downtown or at the arena, bypassing the hunt for parking."

The Interstate 280 undercrossing is a major component in the new stretch that has been dubbed Reach 4. This extension will link Willow Glen to downtown San Jose.

"This is a very important because the trail will go under 280," said Willow Glen resident Larry Ames. "The trail is no longer in the suburbs."

Ames, an avid bicyclist who has been on the Los Gatos Creek Streamside Park Committee for more than 15 years, says the extension will be a great way for residents to see the sights of downtown San Jose and what the city has to offer without the hassle of parking.

"This is a critical section of the trail because it will connect the northern part of the trail to the southern part," said District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager. "We hope that this extension will encourage physical activity and [create] a chance for residents to explore the city."

Along with the undercrossing, the extension will also include widening the existing pathway from Lonus Street to Gregory Street, Zsutty said.

New fencing, signage and striping are included in the project.

The trail will continue from Lonus and Gregory streets, underneath Highway 280, connect back to Homes Street, then to Auzerais Avenue, where it will end with a stone gateway, Zsutty said.

"This trail will help tie neighborhoods together," Ames said.

As part of the maintenance agreement, the city will maintain the trail and its related improvements as part of the larger citywide trail system.

The cost to maintain this stretch will be approximately $6,000 annually and includes sweeping, trash pickup, graffiti removal, pavement repair, resurfacing and signage replacement.

An additional $1,100 per year will be spent for park rangers to monitor the completed trail. These costs will be factored into the city's five-year general fund forecast and will be considered in the development of the annual operating budget.

The agreement between the city and the state will also allow the state to use this section of trail when it needs to repair or make improvements to Interstate 280.

The final phase of the Los Gatos Creek Trail, which will connect this extension from Auzerais Avenue to the HP Pavilion downtown, is more complex.

"There are still many challenges," Zsutty said. "Getting under Santa Clara Street and the railroads are some of them. However, the project is moving forward."

The Los Gatos Creek Trail is an 11-mile paved trail that began in the 1970s after a group of Campbell residents pushed for a par course. Rod Diridon, county supervisor at the time, lobbied for funding for the project, and organized the Los Gatos Creek Streamside Park Committee. Since then, the project has grown as neighboring communities have developed their sections of the trail.

The trail extends from the Lexington Reservoir through Los Gatos and Campbell, and into San Jose. When completed, the trail will connect with the Guadalupe River Trail, which will then allow residents to connect with the 400-mile Bay Trail.