Express lane tolls vary depending on traffic volume

QYou indicated that express lane prices varied from $3 to $9. Wrong. I was driving down Interstate 680 at about 3:30 p.m. when the express lane sign at Alcosta Boulevard displayed the toll as $10 to Livorna Road, which is about 11 miles. Who sets these tolls, and why would it be so outrageously high at a non-peak time? Highway robbery, pardon the pun.

— PAt Ludwig, DAnville

ATolls depend on the amount of traffic with the goal to keep the express lane moving at least 45 mph. Speeds are fed back to the FasTrak headquarters. Yes, I bet $10 is more than most would be willing to pay. How high of a toll would be acceptable to you?

QThe state wants all new automobiles sold by 2035 to be zero emissions. There is no question that is a difficult goal. However, it is only through working through tough goals that we achieve greatness. Getting to the moon was not easy. However, we did it. We have technologies to make the grid more resilient.

We can do this. California can lead the way toward a cleaner tomorrow.

Your columns are the subject of family discussions at our home.

— Bruce NAegel, MountAin View

AAnd today a history lesson. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy said this about the tough challenge of landing on the moon:

“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.”

The same attitude is needed to fight climate change.

QI got a reminder from the DMV that my license is about to expire and that I would be required to take a knowledge test. However, when I went to get a handbook to cram for the test I was told that they are no longer giving written tests. So which is it? Do I need to brush up or not?

ARest easy. Written tests have been temporarily suspended during COVID-19.

Q— Cherie Rasmussen, Sunnyvale

I’ve seen a lot in my life, driving 48 states, but this appalled me. Going to work I got to Kooser and Meridian and the guy sitting at the bus stop throws his coffee cup in the middle of Meridian. Being a re

tired Navy Seal, I stopped and made him pick it up. He’s not messing with me.

— H. Zimlich, San Jose

AI understand your frustration, but don’t turn this into a road rage incident.

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