Court cases, election will decide many roadwork projects’ future

QCan you use your magic to get Central Expressway repaved with that rubberized asphalt you recently wrote about?

Around 20 years ago Central was repaved from Wolfe Road to San Antonio Road with a new type of asphalt that was supposed to give better traction. I don’t know if the traction was better, but the new pavement was very noisy. There were a lot of complaints at the time, but nothing was done.

That pavement has worn through in places, but most of it is still there. And it’s still noisy. I have to turn up the volume on my radio when I drive over it, but even then the road noise drowns it out. Quieter pavement would be a great relief.

— Paul Gregory, Palo Alto

A Today is a big day as oral arguments will be made in the lawsuit over the legality of the approved half-cent sales tax two years ago. The lawsuit has held up spending $750 million for work on the expressways in Santa Clara County. The tax is being collected but remains in an escrow account until the suit is resolved. There’s about $240 million sitting the bank. A decision is expected anytime in the next 90 days.

And if the 12-cents-a-gallon gas tax is repealed by voters next month, the money issue will be worse.

If there’s cash coming in, you could get rubberized asphalt here and on other expressways. When is anyone’s guess.

Q How does one replace the document that accompanies a handicap placard? The placard is still in hand. Will a copy of this document suffice? Call me an aggressive declutterer.

— John Antoun

A Meaning you pitched it into the trash, eh? Go to the DMV and apply for a duplicate placard identification card using Reg. 156. There is no fee for this.

Q Do you know who is responsible for the decision to use chip seal as the latest surface on Stevens Canyon and Mount Eden roads in Santa Clara County?

These roads are heavily trafficked by road cyclists and chip seal is the absolute worst surface for cyclists — loose gravel, soft shoulders — and brutal on the body in the case of the occasional spill.

I imagine the decision process is all about cost, but it’s a bummer nonetheless for the cycling community anytime you see the construction sign announcing new chip seal paving in progress.

— Kirk Bowman, Saratoga

A The county provides a surface treatment every 10 years to its unincorporated roadways. Residential streets and expressways receive a micro-surfacing treatment and all other unincorporated roads receive a chip seal treatment.

Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www. mercurynews.com/ live-chats. Look for Gary at Facebook.com/ mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@ bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5037.