Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic, an independent journalism training program for high school students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.
Stevens Creek Boulevard is known in the South Bay as a long stretch of road that spans three cities. According to some residents and business proprietors, it’s also known as a roadway where speeding and dangerous conditions are increasingly common.
There have been two fatal crashes along the road in the past nine months. Residents complain of a dangerous combination of speeding cars and narrow spaces.
“I almost got hit trying to get out of my car,” said Catalina Barrios, 58, who lives in an apartment on the boulevard in Santa Clara. “That street is dangerous.”
Some residents who park along the street worry about their cars, too. Maria Barahona, 49, lives in the same building as Barrios, in an apartment directly facing the street. When looking out the window recently, she saw a car on the sidewalk. “It had lost control and hit two parked cars,” she said.
Stevens Creek Boulevard runs from the western edge of Cupertino to just east of Interstate 880 in San Jose. It bisects several major north-south arterials: Interstates 280 and 880, Highway 85 and several expressways.
The Stevens Creek Boulevard corridor “is a major health, education, tech industry, shopping and housing spine in the South Bay,” according to the multi-jurisdiction Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor Vision Study. “It is experiencing significant growth in commercial and residential land uses.”
With that growth comes safety concerns. “Stevens Creek Boulevard … is one of the most dangerous corridors in the city for pedestrians and cyclists,” according to Walk Bike Cupertino, a volunteer advocacy group for walking and biking.
Leslie Garcia, 25, of Santa Clara, is an avid walker in the area. “I wish there were more crosswalks” on Stevens Creek, she said. She cited the long distances between intersections as a temptation to jaywalk, a dangerous undertaking on such a busy thoroughfare.
The sight lines of the street also have raised concerns. Stacey Bahr, a sales associate at one of the car dealerships on Stevens Creek, said large trucks parked at the side of the road can create a hazard for drivers entering and exiting the business.
Giselle Ortiz, a dental assistant in Santa Clara, said that applies to her, too. “It’s hard trying to get in or out of my workplace,” she said. She suggested having signs posted urging drivers to be cautious and slow down. The speed limit in that area is 35 mph.
The most recent fatal accident on Stevens Creek occurred in December. A man was killed and two others were injured when two vehicles collided near the intersection of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Tyler Street in Santa Clara.
Lt. Michael Crescini, the public information officer for the Santa Clara Police Department, said there has not been an unusual number of complaints from residents about Stevens Creek Boulevard. He encouraged people who have experienced or witnessed issues to file a complaint on a form available on the department’s website.
He added that the police department is working on adding more officers to its traffic control unit.
Safety issues are not the only concern for residents. Emilio Sanchez, 10, lives in an apartment with his bedroom facing Stevens Creek. He said he has to close his window at night because of revving engines and honking cars. “They don’t let me sleep,” he said.
Katie Pleitez is a member of the class of 2026 at Mountain View High School.