New I-880 median needed for coming FasTrak lanes
Q The construction on Interstate 880 between Highway 237 and
A Street in Oakland is a mess. The center divider has been torn down, built back, and then in certain areas torn down again to add higher walls. Why not build the correct wall the first time? How many times do they need to do construction on the same stretch of highway? — Tiffany Anderson, Sunnyvale A They are almost done. The new barrier is taller to meet revised guidelines and to handle new equipment for the conversion of the car-pool lanes to FasTrak lanes now under construction. They’ll run from Hegenberger Road in Oakland to Dixon Landing Road southbound in Milpitas and from Dixon Landing to Lewelling Boulevard northbound in San Lorenzo. New signs, toll tag readers, video cameras and CHP observation areas are coming, and trees will be removed near Hacienda Boulevard in San Lorenzo to make room to widen a short stretch of the freeway to accommodate a merge lane. The Q I’ve noticed that the concrete divider on Interstate 880 has several imprints of leaves. They are really pretty but do they have a specific purpose? I’ve had this conversation with a few people, and no one could come up with an answer. Can you? — Catherine Eastham $132.5 million job should be done in 2020.
A These decorations are a part of the project median barrier upgrade for cosmetic reasons. The oak leaves pattern was designed by Caltrans Landscape Architecture Division. At the 85-101 interchange in Mountain View, there are imprints of birds.
Q News that the Alameda County Transportation Authority is looking at possible changes from the Bay Bridge toll plaza to Highway 238 is great news, and I would like to know where I can follow the progress. Is there a section of the ACTA website that talks about this? I really hope this happens. — Etai Weininger, Oakland A You and many thousands more. It can take 15 to 30 minutes extra to make this trip from Highway 24 to the bridge. Go to www.alamedactc. org and sign up for a newsletter. You won’t see much until the $200,000 study is completed by the end of the year, but any reports should be found here. Q Please continue to highlight the everworsening problem of homeless using BART as a mobile encampment. One morning last week, I counted 12 people in various states of consciousness and undress in just three BART cars departing from Dublin/Pleasanton. — Sean Sullivan, Livermore A Oh, I will. Sean sent along a photo of a used needle on the floor of the BART car. Ugh. Follow Gary Richards at Twitter.com/ mrroadshow, look for him at Facebook.com/ mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@ bayareanewsgroup.com. Contact Gary Richards at grichards@ bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5037.