Updated: Los Gatos 'Love Locks' to Be Removed Friday

Update: 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31: Caltrans spokesman Bernard Walik said his agency will not be involved in Friday's removal of "love locks" that have been placed on the Main Street Bridge in downtown Los Gatos.

Walick said the Town of Los Gatos is responsible for the bridge area where the locks are currently residing and that such jurisdiction notified the public and media that the tokens of affection would be removed.

Further, he said, according to the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce there is a problem with aesthetics and driver distraction related to the locks and as the population of locks increases, the weight load on the fence may compromise the integrity of the fencing material during heavy winds.

"All it takes is one lock to accidentally drop down to the freeway and strike a vehicle or even worse the windshield of a passing vehicle and we could have a tragic incident that could have been avoided," Walik said.

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The Town of Los Gatos issued a statement today reminding owners of the controversial "love locks" attached to the chain link part of the Main Street Bridge to remove them before they're clipped off Friday, Feb. 1.

The statement said the

Museum representatives are designing a location for the locks, and encourage all existing or prospective “love lock” participants to bring their locks to the Art Museum, 4 Tait Ave., or contact them at 408-395-7386 for details.

The Museum will provide more information about the new location when it is finalized, the statement said.

Removal will require the locks to be cut off the fence, and thus, the locks will no longer be functional.

It's not clear what agency will be doing the removal, but the bridge is under Caltrans jurisdiction.

Bernard Walik, a spokesman for Caltrans, said the agency will not be clipping them, but town staff will. "Caltrans is not removing the locks, the Town of Los Gatos is," Walik said.

The town will store the locks that are removed at the Town Corporation Yard on Miles Ave. until Feb. 15 for pick up by owners.

"The town prefers that individuals personally remove their own locks by Jan. 31, and participate in the Museums’ 'love locks' installation," the statement added.

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