Motorists in Santa Clara County are bracing for a significant disruption this week. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced an 82-hour full closure of State Route 9 at Saratoga Creek Bridge from Thursday night, December 7, until Monday, December 11. This shutdown is part of the Saratoga Creek Bridge Rehabilitation Project in Saratoga.

The closure, initiated to allow the removal of a temporary bridge, will impact a busy stretch of SR-9, Big Basin Way, at Sanborn Road. To expedite the completion of the project and minimize the overall traffic impact, Caltrans has decided to undertake this task now. The project aims to enhance the bridge's resilience, especially to withstand earthquake forces, and it is on track to conclude by the end of December 2023.

During this time, Sanborn Road will remain accessible via Southbound Highway 9 past Pierce Road. According to Caltrans, "CHP will be on site and emergency vehicles will be granted access." Motorists are advised to prepare for delays and additional travel time.

Furthermore, Changeable Message Signs (CMS) and detour information will be prominently displayed to assist drivers. A designated detour route for sizeable trucks has been established, and details can be found on the State Route 9 Saratoga Project webpage. Caltrans recommends monitoring 511.org or consulting the Caltrans QuickMap for those seeking real-time traffic updates.