April 2, 2007

Willow Glen Way bridge opens

Benefits include flood control, traffic and pedestrian improvements

By Carol Rosen
Editor

Local residents joined several dignitaries on March 3 to help open a new bridge on Willow Glen Way. The bridge offers area residents a number of benefits including future flood control over the Guadalupe River as well as traffic and pedestrian improvements.

It takes big scissors to cut this ribbon. Included in the ribbon-cutting photo are Santa Clara Valley Water District Board Director Joe Judge, Chair of the Independent Monitoring Committee Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan David Ginsborg, and San Jose City Councilmember Nora Campos.

The bridge is designed to allow engineers to deepen the channel to make way for the Upper Guadalupe River Flood Protection Project. But it also replaced a narrow, outdated bridge with one that is safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. And, the project received funding that was secured through city and state departments.

It also was a project that involved the community, adding residents’ suggestions to improve the design replacing the old narrow bridge with beautiful stone railings, antique-style lights and gateway features to enhance the neighborhood.

“It took a cooperative effort from a number of agencies to make this project a reality,” said Council-woman Nora Campos at the dedication. “I would first like to thank staff from the Santa Clara Valley Water District for taking the lead on the design and construction of the bridge. I’d like to thank staff from the city of San Jose Departments of Public Works and Transpor-tation for their efforts in securing funding and providing project oversight. And, this project would not have been possible without the support we received from CalTrans in helping us obtain funding for this bridge.”

Just before the ribbon was cut, there was music and dancing on the new Willow Glen Way Bridge.

Besides Campos, Willow Glen residents Susan Kuster and Bob and Harriet Jakovina spoke briefly to the assemblage as well as Beau Goldie, the deputy operating officer for watersheds from the Santa Clara Valley Water District, San Jose Department of Transporta-tion Assistant Director Jim Ortbal and David Gins-borg, chair of the Inde-pendent Monitoring Com-mittee for Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan.

Following the ribbon-cutting, Los Compadres, Music from the Barrios, featuring Noe and Tomas Montoya entertained and light refreshments were served.

The program also included special thanks to all of those connected with the project including designers Moffatt and Nichols, architect YH Lee and contractor Granite Rock / Pavex. San Jose city staff included Rene Cordero, Wendy Chan, Richard Yau, Dave Montenegro, Greg Jobe, Dave Baggese and Mike Mendizabal. Staff from the water district consisted of Goldie, Katherine Oven, Dennis Cheony, Todd Inman, David Liu, Nelson Gonzales, Felix Palafox, Martin Rivera and Anne Cooper.

Also contributing to the funding were Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program (Measure B) from the water district and the Federal Highway Bridge Replacement and Re-habilitation Program.