Willow Glen Resident
News
Demolition and reconstruction of old bridge on Willow Glen Way to start
By Alicia Upano
The Santa Clara Valley Water District is just a month away from breathing new life into the 90-year-old Willow Glen Way Bridge.
The reconstruction, years in the making, has been an ongoing partnership between the water district and the community. The outcome is an aesthetically pleasing bridge with stone facing, railing and ornamental lights.
The water district has also keyed into noise concerns during the destruction of the aging bridge and construction of the new one.
Water district senior project manager Dennis Cheong assured residents on March 29 that construction would occur only between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and not on holidays. The area will also be equipped with noise and vibration monitors during the 10-month project.
The most noise will occur in May during the demolition, Cheong said.
The water district also plans to provide a full-time inspector onsite to supervise the work and be a point person for neighbors.
In addition, the water district will meet with neighbors one month into the project to follow up on any unforeseen concerns.
The 90-year-old bridge needed seismic retrofitting. It was weakened by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and flooding from 1995 to 1998.
The new bridge will be 47 feet longer and 13 feet wider than the original. It will accommodate a two-lane road, a sidewalk and bike lanes on both sides.
However, the bridge's closure had resident Linda Parsons concerned that Willow Glen Way would become a thoroughfare. Cheong said most of the construction-related traffic will remain east of the bridge and not in the Willow Glen neighborhood.
The closure will also affect students who attend Galarza Hammer Montessori School, and seniors at The Village, near Willow Glen Way and Almaden Road. Water district spokeswoman Meenakshi Ganjoo said the district will provide transportation for both students and seniors.
Water district assistant operating officer Katherine Oven said flood insurance for Willow Glen residents living near Guadalupe River is still in effect until the water district completes its Upper Guadalupe River Flood Protection Project in the next five to 10 years.
