New Bay Bridge metering equipment coming soon
QWhy aren’t the metering lights on the Bay Bridge updated with 2018 technology? For the amount of money collected every day 24/7/365, this system is ancient and adds to the misery of life here. — Michael Phillips
AAncient it is: almost two decades old. Caltrans and bridge officials have been working for two years to replace the metering lights hardware and software. That could be completed by the end of the year.
They’ve been replacing field equipment for the meters, which include 50 loop detectors in the pavement, 16 signal heads, five variable message signs and two controllers and cabinets.
But don’t get too hopeful. These improvements are not likely to help reduce delays by any significant amount. Too much traffic, and too many solo drivers.
Anything else, Michael?
QWhy does the Bay Bridge still have toll booths for the FastTrak lanes? In states back East, the toll booths are gone and only an electronic bar is above the toll plaza. This allows traffic to move at road speed and not slow to enter the empty booth lanes. — Michael Phillips
AAs for removing toll booths that just collect FasTrak transactions, this has been discussed. In 2013, booth 17 was removed at the Bay Bridge to add one open road tolling lane. But a combination of factors ( budget, resources) have not allowed projects like this to move forward.
QThis is not a local question, so maybe it’s not appropriate. Still, where else could I go? I am curious why nothing has been said about the backup driver in the Uber car that hit and killed a bicyclist in Arizona and why she apparently did nothing to avoid that crash. Can you shed any light on this? — Helen Moritz, Pleasanton
AThere are two lessons here. The Uber driver had her head down and not on the road. She did not react until hitting the bicyclist, who was not in a crosswalk and crossing midblock and was wearing dark clothes at night.
QThe car key for my 2007 Honda Civic is 11 years old and the battery in the chip is wearing out. It no longer locks the car door remotely. When the battery dies completely, will the key still start the car? Several years ago I had a regular key made at the hardware store for $3. It could unlock the door manually, but the car wouldn’t start. — Jack Haslin, Campbell
AThe car will start even if the battery in the remote is dead. Most auto parts stores will replace the battery for $5 to $10.
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