The nearly 90-year-old bridge has been deteriorating as a result of high floodwater in the Los Gatos Creek below it, said Parks and Public Works Director John Curtis.

The town recently placed signs at both ends of the one-lane bridge declaring a weight limit of 10 tons. But Curtis said that was merely a temporary measure to postpone the need for a different solution.

Curtis presented three options to the council: close the bridge to traffic, repair and rehabilitate it or replace it with a new bridge that conforms to current state standards.

Rehabilitation would fix structural problems and leave the design of the bridge intact, but would cost $1 million and be ineligible for grant funding from the California Department of Transportation. A replacement bridge would be eligible for such funding, but would be an entirely new two-lane re-creation of the original bridge.

The closure option was the most popular among residents who spoke at the council hearing. Several said they would rather be able to walk or ride a bicycle across the historic structure than drive across an entirely new one.

A man who identified himself only as C. Giordano, nephew of former Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Capt. Duino Giordano, said his father used to fish off of the bridge when he was young. "I think the bridge is a fabulous piece of architecture," Giordano said. "I'd hate to see you tear it down."

Area resident Paul Verno said the scars on the underside of the bridge give it irreplaceable character. "The bridge is something that really ignites your imagination ... of what the area used to be like," Verno said.

A couple of residents cautioned that closing the bridge could lead to new problems. Ohlone Court resident Sandy Jordan said it would likely become a hangout for children. The low guardrails and steep creek banks make it unsuitable for such a purpose, she said.

Bob Barrow said he really enjoys driving on the bridge and questioned the hefty price tag of rehabilitation.

"It's not a thing of beauty now, but it could be without a million dollars of work," he said.

Others shared their stories about the bridge's history and reasons it should stay.

Roberts Road resident Parvez Ahmed said people too often use his street as a shortcut, placing unnecessary traffic on the bridge. Kim Gavin said the structure reminded her of the "coziness" of the small town. Scott Partridge said he regularly walks and rides his bike across it and would like to continue doing so.

The council members agreed.

Councilwoman Diane McNutt said the bridge is the only reminder of when she used to visit her Great Uncle Charlie as a child.

Councilwoman Sandy Decker said it is her starting point whenever she gives a town tour, but that she would "reluctantly" give up her right to drive on it if it meant keeping the bridge.

Councilman Joe Pirzynski said the bridge is a town artifact that needs to be preserved.

"No amount of money from Caltrans could pay for the loss of history," he said.

The council voted unanimously to close the bridge off to vehicles and make any necessary repairs to keep it standing. Curtis said the cost of those repairs was unknown, but would not be as much as rehabilitating it for vehicular traffic.

Only moments after the council's vote, local resident Paul Vieth spoke up and said he had been watching the meeting on television. He said he drove to the council chambers as soon as he realized the bridge's closure was up for discussion.

"I think you're making a big mistake," Vieth told the council members.

He said people unaware of the closure would still head down Roberts Road and then use Oak Meadow Drive as a shortcut.

The council did not reopen the vote, but Mayor Steve Glickman said mitigation of such a problem could be part of the work plan for the closure.