Motorists on Highway 87 are used to that sinking feeling

QI think you need to do a history of the roller coaster we know as Highway 87 so newbies understand that 87 has always been a bumpy ride since it opened.

AToday is history day for newbies. Dips began to appear on 87 between Highway 85 and Interstate 280 shortly after the six-lane freeway opened in the early ’90s. It took more than 10 years and $25 million to fix the problem. Or so it seemed.

Engineers knew the mushy soil under the concrete would shift, as the highway is located near the Guadalupe River in an area that was once a swamp and prone to flooding. They even packed an extra 10 to 20 feet of dirt on top of the elevated roadway and waited a year before removing the dirt and opening the freeway, giving it what they thought would be enough time to settle.

But four years ago parts of it sank as much as 2½ feet. Crews then punched pipes through the highway as deep as 27 feet, using grout to fill in voids below the surface where drains collapsed.

The current problem at Taylor Street is where the lanes meet with the bridge, a too often problem where dips appear. You’ll see the same issues on Interstate 680 going over the Sunol Grade.

QPlease notify the appropriate agencies about the growing potholes on the Almaden Expressway on-ramp to Highway 87. The potholes are especially bad right at the metering lights, and I worry each day that I will damage my car if I am not careful to avoid them.

ABoth Caltrans and the county have been notified. But be careful out there until repairs are made.

QHelp! For years and years the traffic light at Chynoweth Avenue and Winfield Boulevard was always green to westbound traffic on Chynoweth turning left onto Winfield. However, someone recently decided to change that and now the light cycles periodically, which means that traffic westbound on Chynoweth to Oakridge Mall and Blossom Hill Road has to stop at this light. It’s particularly infuriating since maybe one time in 100 is a red light warranted.

Could you please work your magic and have this light restored to its previous status?

ADelayed magic coming. The northbound Winfield detection sensor was damaged by the recent paving project. A temporary recall setting is necessary due to the sensor’s inability to detect traffic, meaning this movement serves every cycle regardless of demand. The timing for the northbound movement has been temporarily cut back to a safe minimum.

The city will continue to pursue equipment repairs, but there is no completion date available at this time.