Are they actually turning on I-680 meter lights?
Q Can it really be? I see signs that indicate Caltrans will finally turn on the metering lights on Interstate 680 leading up the Sunol Grade through San Jose and Fremont.
Megan Phillips
Dublin A Caltrans will turn on 20 ramp meters on Interstate 680, from Highway 101 in San Jose to Scott Creek Road just over the Alameda County line. The meters southbound will be activated from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Northbound meters will begin working Sept. 1 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. There is no timetable for turning on other lights on the Alameda County side of 680.
Q The traffic light for eastbound Moorpark Avenue at Winchester Boulevard is green for a very short time, letting a maximum of three cars get across Winchester. Seems like a very short duration for this busy intersection.
Pat Ellis
San Jose A The city found defective sensors at this location. Repair orders are in, but this will remain a problem area as it handles all that Valley Fair-Santana Row traffic. Too many cars, too close to a major freeway exit and too many drivers blocking the intersection on red lights. Q Mr. Roadshow, when you are driving south on I-280 and wish to get to Santa Clara, which exit are you more likely to take: Saratoga Avenue or Winchester? I bet I know which you would take.
Gary Moitozo
San Jose A Which is? QI would guess Winchester. You avoid the Saratoga bridge mess, panhandlers, stop lights.
Gary Moitozo A No way. I avoid Winchester at all costs. From south 280, go left on Saratoga, then right to Stevens Creek Boulevard where the signals are coordinated to the shopping meccas. Now onto another problem area.
Q Rainbow Drive comes out at De Anza Boulevard, which leads to Highway 85. The traffic light on De Anza is long in the morning, which has traffic waiting at the light to access 85 or to continue south on De Anza.
When cars come out of Rainbow, only about two can get out to De Anza, but a lot of them end up blocking the intersection when the light changes.
Sounds confusing, but they just need to adjust the light timing on De Anza to change about four or five seconds earlier.
Les Schreiber A The three signals are a pain to coordinate because they are very closely spaced, and in the morning there is a flood of traffic going north on De Anza, and turning left from Rainbow onto north De Anza, at the same time.
Cupertino has tried to coordinate the lights numerous times over the past decade and promises to adjust the timing more if needed.
Q Over 50 years ago, Don Sherwood, host on KSFO radio, predicted (perhaps with tongue in cheek) that Bay Area traffic would come to a standstill. Complete gridlock. Folks, we’re almost there!
Don Maxwell
Mountain View
AA lmost?