I-80 Smart Highway remains work in progress for Caltrans
Q
I am curious about the $79 million project on west Interstate 80. So far, the only changes I have seen are the metering lights on the on- ramps and the gantry signs that estimates how much time it would take to drive to Highway 101 and the airports. When will the many overhead signs begin to function? — Melanie Andersen, Crockett
A
Brianna-the- Caltrans-Lady said you “may not realize it, but the I-80 SMART Corridor activated last fall. The overhead gantry signs are designed to remain dark unless a lane- blocking incident occurs, at which time they illuminate with the appropriate motorist directives.
“The reasons for them to remain dark during normal operations is two- fold: it conserves energy use, and reduces maintenance costs/ disturbances which might result from more frequent bulb changing because of increased use.”
The state is doing a study and should have the results by the end of the year.
Q
I guess I expected more frequent use of the speed limit warning signs on I-80. Although I typically am going in the less- congested directions, it would seem that posting a reduced speed limit would calm the flow. Are there plans for further deployment of the tools of this SMART corridor? — John Winters, Oakland
A
We’ll know in a few months. Traffic at the most congested area of I-80 near Berkeley was about 10 percent higher in early September 2016 compared to 2015.
Q
There’s road construction on Highway 12 east of Rio Vista that has been going on forever. What is going on and when it will it be finished? I’m hoping the highway is being widened. Traffic in that area is pretty bad. — Scott Wheeler, Pleasant Hill
A
The Bouldin Island Project in San Joaquin County from east of the Sacramento River to the Potato Slough Bridge near Tower Park Resort & Marina is estimated to be complete in mid-2018.
Caltrans is realigning 4.3 miles of Highway 12, adding a concrete divider, widening existing lanes to 12 feet and installing shoulders.
Q
While thousands of people attended the Lady Gaga show at AT&T Park Sunday night, as we approached the Bay Bridge to go home we could tell that the big show was over because there was much more traffic than usual on a Sunday at 11 p.m.
What we didn’t expect was the usual lane closures going down from five to two lanes. There was no evidence of any work being done; only one lone police car in the closed lanes.
A 25-minute trip to Alameda took 90 minutes. What were they thinking? — Susan Krauss, Alameda
A
There was work going on under the top deck, but this is a common complaint and the contractor is supposed to wait a half-hour after the end of the event or until traffic is moving smoothly enough to start the closures.