I-880 work in Oakland has another year to go
Q The overpass over Interstate 880 near 23rd-29th streets in Oakland has been under construction for two years and still does not look like it will be ready in another year. What’s the latest?
Joe Ruk Belmont
A We’ve got at least another year to go. Work is about to begin for the new northbound 29th Avenue off-ramp bridge, followed by demolition of the northerly structure of the 23rd Avenue overcrossing.
This will involve the long-term closure of the westbound 23rd overcrossing and demolition and rebuilding of the bridge. Construction on the $62 million project could be completed by late 2018.
Now, onto another problem area to the north.
Q I moved to the East Bay 18 years ago. Merging from Interstate 80 onto Gilman Street was dangerous then and, if possible, is much worse now. Those exiting I-80 westbound can have a long wait seeking a safe opportunity to turn under the freeway onto Gilman. Similarly, those reaching Gilman from the road parallel to the freeway must inch across the intersection to access 80.
This area needs stoplights. Are there plans to improve this mess? Kerry Moriarty Richmond A No lights, but two roundabouts. Engineers don’t think traffic lights are the answer because of all the merging between West Frontage Road and Second Street. Vehicles now enter from 14 directions — gulp! — with no stoplights. Crash rates are astronomical: On the west side off-ramp, those numbers were 80 percent higher than the state average and 177 percent higher — gulp, gulp! — on the east side.
Construction on the $24 million job could begin in 2019 and be done by 2022.
Q We live near an intersection in the Oakland hills — not going to say where, lest we attract even more misery — where the street widens out to what must be perfect dimensions for doing doughnuts, because the peace and quiet up here is regularly shattered by the roaring and the squealing. With summer just around the corner, it’s picking up.
Oakland police are sympathetic, and urge us to call 911 whenever there is an incident, but honestly it can take so long to get through to a dispatcher that even if it’s a lengthy session, it’s over before there’s even a person on the other end of the line, let alone getting officers out here.
Is there anything worth trying to make this stretch of pavement less hospitable to this misbegotten pastime? Botts’ Dots? Raised medians?
Help! Patricia W. Oakland
A Your best bet is 9-1-1. Cities are reluctant to make pavement changes that could lead to crashes, making them liable.
Q How should I deal with a set of old license plates? Ronan Cullen Santa Clara
A Take the expired plates to your nearest DMV office. You can either do it during regular business hours or put the pair of plates into a folder and place it into the drop box at the field office.