Sunol Grade commute will remain a headache
Q It’s sad. The drive from Pleasanton to Sunol is not any better five years after the express lane opened on Interstate 680. This commute flies under the radar but is one of the worst around. They should have started the toll lane at the 580/680 split — that would have made it useful.
Where it starts now at Andrade Road has never been a huge backup spot. Sure, it slows there, but it’s the 10 miles from 580 to Andrade that are really bad. Somehow, some way, we need relief from 580/680 to Andrade.
And it won’t be any better five years from now either. Or 10. California Mike A Boy, are you depressing — but you may be right. The widening of 680 northbound from Milpitas to Fremont will be underway in perhaps four to six years. There are also plans for a fourth lane in both directions to 580 but no timetable for that critical work. These will be carpool-express lanes. Q On I-680 some of the metering lights have been turned on — but not those at the biggest problem spots from South Mission Boulevard to Highway 84. Why not? ... Regarding Waze users who take the I-680 exit to Mission Boulevard in Fremont and clog city streets before jumping back on 680/Mission north, I have the solution: Install metering lights on the ramps! Sorely needed . ... A lot of drivers use Sheridan Road as a shortcut past the slowdown on I-680. I believe that these cutters are exacerbating the problem. Can Caltrans close this exit during rush hour — or permanently — as there are alternative ways to navigate these roads? Randy Bonser, Carl Smith, Mike Call, Eric Peterson and zillions more
ACaltrans has plans to install metering lights between the Santa Clara County line and Interstate 580. But money has not been approved yet, so I don’t have a schedule to share with readers at this time. Once they are funded, the state will need a year and a half to install the meters. Q Since they turned on the metering lights, traffic trying to get from Livermore Avenue onto Interstate 580 west has been a mess. Traffic backs up well beyond the ramp, resulting in southbound Livermore Avenue being blocked by cars trying to get onto the freeway. I know Caltrans just turned these lights on, but can they please check the timing or see what else can be done to alleviate this mess? Julie Perea A This meter was off for two years due to construction of the 580 express lanes. As a result, a lot of motorists were attracted to this location to enter the freeway without any metering. Now that the ramp lights are on, Caltrans expects that some of that extra traffic will return to its original routes and the delay at this ramp will be reduced. Check back in a few months. Q In the Tri-City and Tri-Valley area, the sidewalks are not used that much. Why can’t the sidewalk be widened with bike lane markers? I don’t think there would be as many injuries as there are on the roads. Maria L. A Not going to happen. Too dangerous for pedestrians.