Without any toll takers, most FasTrak lanes will be going away
Q Without toll takers at Bay Area bridges, does FasTrak become redundant before the toll plazas? Seems like any old lane would do since they’ll all be open to everyone.
— MichAel BAbcock, OAklAnd A Yes, FasTrak won’t be needed before the toll booths. FasTrak- only lanes will be going away, while a few FasTrak lanes will remain where drivers can pay by FasTrak or an invoice. The current signs and lane markings will remain until sometime this spring, when a consultant completes a study of all toll plaza approaches (in-lane markings, permanent signs, changeable electronic signs, etc.), until changes are implemented. Q I’d like to add another story about helpful people. My wife and I were stalled on busy Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon recently, and it took 50 minutes for the tow truck to arrive.
In that time, no less than 17 men and women drivers of totally diverse backgrounds stopped to offer help, including two very courteous police officers who stayed with us until the tow truck arrived. We’re often told that San Ramon is a wonderful place in which to live, and it was confirmed again that day. Thanks to all of you who stopped and offered help.
QThe Industrial Parkway Bridge on Interstate 880 in the East Bay seems to be crumbling. Are repairs planned?
— Doris Block, SAn LeAndro
AYes. Caltrans will be paving northbound lanes between Whipple Road and Industrial Parkway starting Thursday, and going through the spring. This is to work on the eastbound overcrossing and to repair the damaged bridge girder. Various lanes will close at 9 p.m. and reopen at 5 a.m. the following day while the work proceeds.
QI’m one of those over 70-plus older drivers facing renewal with no appointments possible. So I just walked in to my local DMV in Redwood City. Door to door in 30 minutes. Proper social distancing. Kudos to the DMV.
— Tom Rogers, Redwood City
AAnd another DMV kudo coming.
QI want to thank you for the column reiterating the DMV allowing 70-plus-year-olds to renew their licenses online. It took me all of 15 minutes, which included getting my license and then a credit card from another room.
— David Cohen, San Jose
AAnd …
QOn Monday you advised a senior to persevere in renewing his driver’s license online. I’d been putting it off for fear of getting lost in the bowels of the Digital DMV. Your note inspired me to try. Took me about five minutes from start to finish and it was a straightforward process. Glad I took your advice.
AI’m here to please.
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