Multiple potholes are popping up again on Interstate 580

QLast year, the commute over the Altamont Pass on Interstate 580, especially during the rainy months, was a disaster. Huge potholes popped up daily if not multiple times a day.

We were all assured over and over again that Caltrans had a plan and it was going to perform a major repair and repave. That plan never materialized.

What has occurred is that Caltrans has repaved sporadic portions of the freeway and yet the majority of the paving issues remain almost exactly as it was last winter.

Tuesday most of us endured a two-plus hour commute from Tracy to Livermore due to, you guessed it, potholes! I left my house in Tracy at 6 a.m. and it took me over an hour just to make it to Grant line Road at the base of the Altamont. When I finally did make it from Interstate 205 onto Interstate 580 I was greeted by multiple potholes in the No. 3 and 4 lanes the entire way up the grade. This is ridiculous. — Dave Massa, Tracy

AAnother year and it appears I-580 may reclaim its distinction as the roughest freeway in the Bay Area. Emergency repairs are planned, but the No. 3 and No. 4 lanes take a heavy pounding from all the truck traffic on 580. Try FasTrak so on those bad days you can use the express lanes.

QYou wrote that adding a fourth northbound lane on Interstate 680 over the Sunol Grade would begin in December. I was so excited, but I don’t see anything happening. — Sharon Taylor, San Ramon

ASome behind-thescenes work has begun but you’ll see more activity in March when a groundbreaking event will occur.

QCan vehicles pulling a trailer get in an express lane like on I- 680? Their speed limit is supposed to be 55 mph. — Jenny Maloney, Danville

ANo. A truck pulling a trailer must stay in the far two right lanes on all four-lane freeways and follow the 55-mph speed limit.

QWould you please remind people to check their taillights? I have noticed many, many cars with turn lights or brake lights out. I check mine every third gas fill-up. — Patty Walker, Ben Lomond A So reminded. Q I just traveled to Los Angeles via Interstate 5 and have always enjoyed the blue signs telling people about the crops/trees growing. The signs are fading and getting harder to read.

It is a public service to let people know what is growing in the Central Valley. — Jim Martin, Aptos

ASeveral agricultural groups posted the signs near farms and fields; older ones will be replaced over time.