Foothill Expressway improvement project moves forward

SAN JOSE – The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors today approved (5-0) contracts and funding for improvements on Foothill Expressway. The County awarded Redgwick Construction Co. with the Foothill Expressway Operational Improvements Project contract. 

This project will widen Foothill Expressway between El Monte Avenue and San Antonio Road. It will provide an additional lane in each direction, and is expected to improve the safety of both Foothill Expressway/El Monte Avenue and Foothill Expressway/San Antonio Road intersections. 

“Road safety is and should be a top priority at the County,” said County Supervisor Joe Simitian. “Our hope and expectations is that expanding Foothill Expressway will make travel safer for not only drivers, but for cyclists and pedestrians alike.” 

Partial funding for the improvements comes from the 2016 ballot Measure B, a 0.5% sales tax approved by voters with 72% percent of the vote. This project will be the first project on the 2016 Measure B Expressway Program to be implemented by the County.

In approving the contract and funding Simitian urged County staff to:

• Minimize the traffic impacts of construction;
• Conduct a robust public awareness effort to help local residents plan their travel; and,
• Ensure that the contract contains provisions assuring timely completion.

County staff indicated it is working with the City of Los Altos to limit the traffic impacts on residents and to conduct an aggressive outreach campaign. Redgwick Construction Co. was selected after a competitive RFP process which began in December of 2019.