Express lanes may eventually link Bay Area to Sacramento
QI fear that the dreaded toll lanes will be with us forever. Every time I am near one, I get sick to my stomach, thinking how my taxes are being wasted on another boondoggle. What a waste of dollars and valuable California real estate that sits nearly empty for hours a day. I doubt it has stimulated anybody to start carpooling. Those toll lanes are the biggest waste of our taxes outside of that highspeed train to nowhere. Now we have car lanes to nowhere. — Craig Bender, Walnut Creek
AThey aren't going to go away. In fact, more express lanes are coming. They may eventually extend from the Bay Area to Sacramento.
QHave you had any complaints about the implementation of two toll lanes on a part of the recent Highway 101 toll/ express lane deployment in Santa Clara County? I don't think the public was aware that Caltrans would have a long section with only three regular lanes and two toll lanes. This is creating an all-day backup on this section of 101.
— Richard Barton, Foster City
AI haven't had any complaints. The double carpool lanes are limited in length and intended to make it safer and easier for drivers to merge in and out of the express lanes in hightraffic areas.
QCan I still use the carpool lane with my carpool sticker when I am a solo driver on Highway 101 south after 237, where the new HOV express lane ends? I don't have my FasTrak yet. — Jill Cohen
AYes. You need a FasTrak transponder to use express lanes, but you can use the old carpool lanes as a solo driver with valid carpool stickers. It is frustrating that the rules for these lanes vary now. This will be resolved when 101 has express lanes all the way to Gilroy.
QI became a cyclist as an adult a bit over 20 years ago. I have been hit by cars on two occasions over those years, and have experienced a number of near misses. Although most drivers try to be aware of cyclists, the distracted, unaware and a small percentage of downright mean people, along with the deplorable condition of our roads, have led to many cyclists using much more of the lane than many drivers can grasp.
I am finding that the green paint helps to make drivers aware that cyclists do belong on the roadway.
— Bob Montague, Aptos
AAs the number of green bike lanes increases, the number of drivers who realize that they need to pay close attention to bicyclists in their midst, rather than to overlook them, also appears to be increasing.