The ride along De La Cruz Boulevard/Trimble Road near Highway 101 should soon run a lot smoother. Contractors for the Valley Transportation Agency (VTA) are putting the finishing touches on the major upgrades along the Santa Clara – San Jose border.
“[The] contractor is in the final stage to finish signal light installation and concrete work for sidewalk/curb and gutter at De La Cruz/Trimble/Seaboard intersection,” said a VTA spokesperson. “[The] landscape subcontractor is installing irrigation conduits project wide and pavers blocks in the median island on De La Cruz Blvd. Another subcontractor is finishing installation of road signs.”
The finishing touches are expected to be finished in the next month or two.
The project broke ground in September 2021. Crews have spent the past three years widening De La Cruz Boulevard over Highway 101 in both directions. The project also improved the safety for both bicyclists and pedestrians.
“Key features of the project include widened, extra lanes, updated signage, and enhanced pedestrian and cyclist accommodations, with a tunnel under the off-ramp and a protected walkway adjacent to the overpass,” according to the VTA’s news release. “These improvements not only streamline traffic flow but also prioritize safety, making our roads more accessible and secure for all modes of transportation.”
There are also changes to the way drivers enter Central Expressway from De La Cruz Boulevard, as well as the on-ramp to Highway 101 from drivers headed south down Central Expressway.
The work included ramp closures, lane reductions and more, causing major congestion on a main roadway into Santa Clara. While crews tried to utilize night work to alleviate some of the issues, the scope of the project made the impact inevitable.
The entire project cost $70 – $75 million. It was funded by the 2016 Measure B sales tax.
Related Posts:
Major Roadway Construction Near Mission College
Highway 101 Daytime Lane Closures
Road Improvements at Hwy. 101, De La Cruz and Trimble
It seems that the construction lasted a lot longer than necessary. Looking at the overall results, I can see several really dumb traffic patterns. Well, I guess all involved will be in some sort of physical therapy after extensive patting themselves on the back.