Cupertino is not among the most populous cities, but it is certainly one afflicted with dense prime-time traffic. Rows of vehicles that line up bumper-to-bumper stretch across highways and roads. Over the past few weeks –– and for the next several weeks to come –– Cupertino’s traffic will be exacerbated by more traffic bottlenecks. Streets will be coned off due to road construction, resulting in more gridlocks.
This road construction plan is part of a year-long endeavor in the city’s pavement and building maintenance project, according to reports by the City of Cupertino Capital Improvement Projects. As of last week, Cupertino has begun to repair segments of two principal roads: Stevens Creek Blvd. from De Anza Blvd. to Wolfe Ave. and De Anza Blvd from Stevens Creek Blvd. to Homestead Rd. Currently almost complete with rubberized asphalt overlay, Capital Improvement Projects indicates that it aspires to finish the work substantially by Nov. of this year.
Road construction is only one portion of the city’s year-long maintenance project. With plans laid out until mid-2015, Cupertino will be looking to improve many of its public utilities. Other projects include the McClellan Ranch Environmental Education Center & Blacksmith Shop Relocation Project and the Quinlan Community Center Fiber Installation Project, both expected to be completed in early March of 2015.
Trenching on Stelling Road beginning next week, along with the reconstruction of curbs, gutters and sidewalks, are predicted to be completed in June of 2015. The mission of the city is to resolve drainage issues and to prepare streets for future asphalt improvements.
Of course, these projects are the main causes of the increased road congestion and traffic hold-ups. MVHS students have been directly affected by the growing traffic.
“It’s really pretty terrible, the traffic,” sophomore Adarsh Parthasarathy said. “[From] what time you usually leave [home], you’ll have to to leave earlier now with all the congestion. Depending on how far you live that may have to be at least 20 minutes earlier.”
Living on Prospect Rd., Parthasarathy considers the traffic near his home to be comparably lower. On Wednesday mornings however, he notices more congestion than on other days, with lines of cars blocking the street in front of his house.
“The school has everyone’s addresses, so they should accommodate each student based on where they live and the amount of traffic on their street due to the current construction,” Parthasarathy said. “I think the school should notify your first period teachers that this student is late for this reason.”
Junior Christopher Doyle has a different view toward the construction and ensuing road block.
“I honestly haven’t noticed that much more traffic compared to what it used to be like,” Doyle said. “Near my home it’s usually the same.”
Both students agree, however, that despite the transportational hindrances, the road construction is a vital element of Cupertino’s maintenance project.
“It may have short-term inconveniences,” Doyle said, “but if it means long-term benefits and smoother roads in the long run, I don’t see any problems with it.”
