Why don’t major transportation improvements ever leave wish list?

Q

Often you write: “It’s on the wish list” or “That could be in the plans.” Like improving Highway 152 east out of Gilroy, adding a carpool lane on Highway 101 between Morgan Hill and Gilroy, rebuilding the 101/880 interchange, a freeway connector between the 880 Freeway and the 680 Freeway in Fremont, a westbound 580 Freeway to southbound 680 connector, etc.

We keep getting new taxes to supposedly pay for transportation improvements, but very little ever gets past the “wish list” phase. — Larry J.

A

Almost all the projects on your wish list are possible except the 101-880 interchange (too expensive). Most are included in tax measures that have just recently passed, so for widening 101 or 152 it will take many years to transform those wishes into more pavement.

But there are projects coming soon — rebuilding the 237-101 interchange in Sunnyvale, new ramps at I-280 to Foothill Expressway and a second exit lane from Highway 101 to Highway 87 near the San Jose airport.

Q

I am a transportation researcher at San Jose State University. Like you, I have a longstanding interest in Bay Area traffic issues and am looking at innovative traffic solutions, including direct real-time compensation for carpoolers in congested corridors.

We are going to have focus groups to gather ideas from commuters Thursday night in San Jose and March 21 and 23. They will each be about two hours long. Participants will be compensated for their time with a $75 Visa debit card.

— Professor Richard Lee

A

Go to bit.ly/2ETQt9z to sign up. — John Brazil, San Jose

A

San Jose’s Bike Plan calls for completing a 500-mile network, consisting of 400 miles of onstreet bikeways and 100 miles of off-street trails. To date, San Jose has completed around 236 miles.

Q

Remember what a joy it was when they finally repaved The Alameda not very long ago? It made you forget having to dodge the mortar shell holes that riddled both directions for years.

Well, whoever did the paving job made sure that we’d be reminded soon enough. There are a lot of distressed areas between Hedding and Julian. As we continue to get more rain it won’t be long until it’s 2010 all over again.

— Tony DiBenedetto, San Jose

A

The city says there is some cracking mostly in the slow lane and possibly caused by heavy bus traffic. After the rainy season, crews will use a different asphalt mix that should hold up better.