A mountain highway in the Bay Area that is prone to slides and washouts is closing again while Caltrans works to make a part of the road easier to get to before winter.
It is not possible to get to State Route 9 for almost 2 miles outside of Saratoga in Santa Clara County, between Redwood Gulch and Sanborn roads. Starting on Monday, this part of the highway will be closed during the week, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., until November 1.
The government said in a news statement that crews are working to clear the highway’s drainage system, remove fallen trees and other debris, and regrade a slope.
In its more than 35 miles, state Route 9 winds through the beautiful Saratoga Gap and connects Santa Cruz to Los Gatos. It also goes through the popular mountain towns of Felton and Boulder Creek and along the edge of Castle Rock State Park. The highway goes through hilly areas, so it often has problems in the winter when it’s raining.
It was closed because of an emergency in February after a mudslide washed out the road in the same place where it is now. During the harsh winter storm that started in December 2022 and went into the new year, the road near Boulder Creek had to be closed several times because of sinkholes and slides.
Caltrans started to replace the Saratoga Creek Bridge on state Route 9 in March 2023 because it was weak and could cause earthquakes. The office said that all the work would be done by the end of September 2024, which would be right on time for the new closure up the road.
The famous Saratoga Springs events center is close to the Saratoga Creek Bridge and where the road splits from Sanborn Road, which is where the most recent closure happened. Owner Mimi Giannini told SFGATE on Tuesday that the news about the closed road has hurt local businesses because people aren’t sure if they can get to the area or not.
People think they can’t come to Saratoga Springs for weddings or business events because of the signs that say the road is closed in downtown Saratoga, she said. “And Google Maps and Apple Maps are sending people in different directions.” Strange new routes have been made for people to get to places. It’s a mess. In fact, her business is open.
Caltrans tells drivers that the best way to get around the roadwork is to take the routes that are posted onto Mount Eden Road.
