Q: Maybe this question has been asked many times before and beaten to death.
Why can’t Caltrans construct a signal-free connector between Interstates 680 and 880? This would be similar to 238 connecting 580 and 880, but much shorter.
Ram Subramaniam and zillions more
A: There is a project in the planning stages to upgrade Mission Boulevard, or State Route 262, as it is also known, to a freeway that would eliminate needing to have regional traffic stop at traffic signals at Warm Springs and Mohave in Fremont.
Caltrans has approved a concept plan for the project that includes having SR 262 either elevated over the local streets or placed in a trench below the local streets. An environmental review of the project and an alternative analysis is underway. Public meetings are expected to occur in 2023.
Fremont supports the project because the wall of traffic along Mission Boulevard limits the local circulation of people walking, bicycling, using transit and driving in the area. This road is also a hot spot for traffic crashes. There have been four fatalities in the area in the recent past, with two pedestrian fatalities occurring at the Warm Springs/Mission intersection.
Q: Yikes! Returning from a Big Bike Build in Pleasanton on Saturday around 1:30 p.m., we came upon a field of taillights on 680 south, approaching the Sunol Grade. Caltrans trucks with flashing lights passed traffic on the shoulder. When we got closer, the two right lanes were coned off, there were several CHP officers on the scene, numerous tow trucks and a lot of disabled cars on the shoulder. The cause? A huge pothole (small sinkhole) probably 2 x 4 feet and a couple of feet deep. What the heck? I’m guessing the cars all had shattered wheels. Any information on this?
Cheryl Klynn, Los Altos
A: There were a series of serious potholes on 680 that Caltrans had to fill, and now has.
Q: Recently I was traveling south on Highway 17 in Los Gatos and took the Lark Avenue exit. I was in the left turn lane at the traffic light. When the light turned green, I turned onto Lark Avenue. The turn lane placed me in the left turn lane to get onto Highway 17 north!
I was stuck in the turn lane because of heavy traffic, unable to move into the lane to go straight on Lark, and no one was willing to let me change lanes. People wanting to get onto Highway 17 north were stuck behind me.
Why would anyone design a road this way?
Is there anyone you can write to get this fixed?
Kenneth Crook
A: The state will look at this off-ramp and restripe it when they do more paving on Highway 17.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.
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