Scenic road not in line for widening

Q The thought of widening Niles Canyon Road through Fremont … those are fighting words. Whoa, there. A superhighway through Niles Canyon is a major no-no. It is a scenic route and along a major water source for Fremont. … I wish widening Niles Canyon were so, but unfortunately, I believe you’re mistaken about this.

— Johnny Johnson, Maureen O’Boyle, Jocelyn Combs, Ken Goldman, George Astin and

zillions more A Wrong I was. A four-lane expressway is planned from Interstate 580 to Interstate 680, but there are no plans to widen Niles Canyon west of there. This is indeed one of the most scenic drives in the Bay Area

Q

Remember the good ol’ days when there was no 280, no 380, no 238, no 92 and the San Mateo Bridge was one lane in each direction? Building and widening highways momentarily re

duce traffic (like one year!). Then more and more commuters move farther and farther from the work centers (San Francisco and Silicon Valley), and guess what? Gridlock!

Name a highway building or widening project that reduced traffic long term? Name one!

Nature reduces stress. Highways increase stress. — Johnny Johnson, Danville A Highways 85 and 87 took a lot of traffic off San Jose city streets, plus 101 through Novato has helped, right?

Q

It’s my understanding that big rigs are not allowed on I-580 between 238 and the

880/580/80 maze in Oakland, but lately I’ve been seeing more big rigs on this stretch of 580. Big rigs are supposed to use 880 through Oakland.

I understand that if there is a major accident on 880, an exception is made. I’ve been seeing more big rigs on 580 at all times of day and night, so perhaps the CHP isn’t enforcing the agreement, and word is getting out to truckers. Please ask the CHP to enforce the agreement.

— Jesse Lee, San Leandro A I have, but this problem pops up every few months. Big rigs can use 580 only when the California Highway Patrol says it’s OK. Q We noticed that some freeways have areas with a slightly higher median barrier. This makes a world of difference in blocking the glare from oncoming traffic at night. Is there any plan to have more areas with higher medians? It seems like a no-brainer.

— David Ogilvie, South

San Francisco

A

Yes, taller median barriers are installed when paving and other work occurs. They are four inches taller and sturdier. Old barriers were narrow with a flared base and had four steel rebars in them. New ones are wider at the top, have no flared base and have eight steel rebars. Barriers of this design are far more likely to remain intact when hit.