I am a small business owner in Gilroy and I also live here. I have noticed that the maintenance for our roads is a patch and re-patch system. Potholes are filled and refilled repeatedly. My business is located, for five years, out in South Gilroy in one of our “industrial” areas and the road is in horrible condition. Probably the worst in the city, I believe. East Luchessa/Rossi road is falling apart, starting at Monterey going out to South Side, including Mayock and Obata. We don’t even get the patch system in this area. It seems we have been forgotten by the city out here. I was hoping to find out if the City of Gilroy has this part of town scheduled for a road upgrade? It can get very busy out here and we are all driving while trying to dodge the worst parts of the road.
Red Phone:
Thank you, good caller, for bringing this to the attention of Red Phone. Were it not for your concern, the good citizens of Gilroy would be in a quandary about potholes that eat their tires! But, good fortune is about to happen to all, although not exactly what you want to hear. Red Phone contacted Gilroy Public Works Director Rick Smelser, who was more than happy to describe Gilroy’s plan for road improvement in South Gilroy.
According to Smelser, road improvements for E. Luchessa and a portion of Rossi Lane near their intersection are already in the capital budget for Gilroy. The Santa Clara Valley Water District, however, is planning to install a water-recycling water main on both streets next year. Gilroy is waiting for this project to be completed before laying down new pavement. Smelser said, “We don’t want to fix the road before the water main is installed, because we would have to come back and redo it again. So, we are waiting for the water district to complete their project, and soon after, we will do the road improvements.”
Regarding other roads in the South Gilroy industrial area and a sore point with you, good caller, Smelser said, “These roads will continue to receive normal maintenance, such as patching and re-patching potholes.” If you see potholes that need patching, Smelser said to call Gilroy Operations Manager David Stubchaer at 408-846-0275 to report the problem.
So, good caller, maybe some good news here, maybe some not so good news. At the very least, you will know what to expect.
