VTA proposes new design for Highway 17/9 interchange in Los Gatos

The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) presented proposed plans for a new freeway interchange in Los Gatos during a special meeting on Sept. 15. The project targets the congested junction where Highway 9 (Los Gatos-Saratoga Road) meets Highway 17 south toward Santa Cruz, notorious for weekend beach traffic and summer heat that create backups and spillover through town. The current cloverleaf interchange funnels vehicles through short weaving sections and lacks adequate bicycle and pedestrian facilities. VTA, Caltrans, and Los Gatos stakeholders said the cloverleaf would be replaced with a spread diamond design, adding lanes, signals, ramp metering, and a realigned six-lane structure, plus a new connection to the Los Gatos Creek Trail. An environmental impact report is nearing completion.