You Ask, Patch Answers: Why Doesn't Los Gatos Paint Its Bridges?

“You Ask ... Patch Answers,” is our Sunday feature where we strive to find answers to all your questions—big, small and in-between—about the town we live and work in.

Whether it’s something you’ve always wondered about, some information you just can’t put your hands on or a sudden curiosity, we want to hear it.

Send your queries to sheila.sanchez@patch.com or leave them in the comments section below, and I will do my best to dig up an answer for you. You also can call me at 408-391-8725.

This week's question comes from Los Gatos Patch reader Harold Rabbie, who said he's been puzzled by the situation. "The Los Gatos Creek Trail has a number of pedestrian footbridges across the creek that have never been painted. The steel is rusting away which is a) ugly and b) probably not good for the long-term structural integrity of the bridges. Can you find out why they don't take care of the bridges properly? I'm guessing that the Santa Clara Valley Water District is the responsible authority."

Rabbie even sent us pictures of the bridges near Division Street at Lark Avenue. He said there were more unpainted bridges further downstream in Campbell and San Jose.

Los Gatos Parks and Public Works Director Todd Capurso answered the question this way: "This is kind of an industry standard—most bridges of this type are not painted. This actually makes them less likely to be tagged with graffiti and does nothing negatively to their structural integrity.

"These bridges are generally selected due to their relatively low maintenance requirements. These bridges are expected to have a useful life in excess of 50 years. We have seen no issues with any of the bridges in our inventory."

Also, Capurso said the Town of Los Gatos is responsible for maintenance of the local bridges, not the water district.