Highway 4 problems concern many readers
Q I have two issues. First, can a section of Highway 4 in the
East Bay from Pittsburg to Brentwood be renamed the “Indianapolis Speedway”? It is unbelievable that drivers exceed 90plus mph there.
— Harvey A You can bet the California Highway Patrol will be back out once the pandemic eases. It has hit this area hard but has other priorities in these troubled days. I get more complaints about speeders on Highway 4 than any other freeway in the Bay Area. Others have nicknamed it Dodge City after the lawless town of years past.
Now, onto issue No. 2.
Q Second, with the upgrade of the Balfour Road exits and overpass off Highway 4, the eastbound exit has one lane to turn left and two lanes to turn right, yet most of Brentwood lives to the left of this interchange. Was this design done on the premise that the illfated housing development was moving ahead? It makes sense to me to change the middle lane to a left turn.
— Harvey
A When this design was approved years ago, it made sense, but then the patterns and pace of development changed. Development in the west has not kept up with the pace of development to the east, which has changed traffic patterns from what originally was assumed.
There is a future project to complete the interchange and construct the westbound Highway 4 bridge and additional ramps. At that time, they’ll reevaluate traffic patterns and adjust the improvements to address development patterns.
The project costs $135.2 million, with $77.7 million coming from the higher gas tax. Q My wife and I went out last Monday night to view the wonderful Christmas decorations, all bright and cheerful, in the Willow Glen area of San Jose, especially the streets off of Willow Road. There were many more people walking around the neighborhoods than usual. With the car lights facing us, it was extremely difficult to see pedestrians as they crossed the streets at intersections, as well as between cars.
All seemed to be wearing dark clothing. I can remember in my early school days that each classroom had a big poster saying, “Wear white at night.” It isn’t the case anymore.
On two occasions, I came close to running over groups of young bicycle riders who weren’t obeying street lights or crosswalks. Please encourage people to wear some light- colored clothing and carry a flashlight. — Lynn Dyche,
San Jose A Christmas lights are a big hit with us, too. Thanks for the reminder about how to enjoy the lights safely when viewing them as pedestrians. Mrs. Roadshow, Anne-the-Road show-Daughter and Ollie-the-Road show-grand son may be out there this weekend, wearing bright clothes and packing flashlights.