Lengthy rest stop closures are problem for highway travelers
QCan you get an answer from Caltrans about why they always have multi-month closures of California rest areas?
I think these areas are more valuable than people assume at keeping us safe because they provide convenient opportunities for drivers to recuperate and then resume driving in a rested and focused manner.
We’ve all seen our rest areas along Interstate 5, and highways 99 and 101 with multiple month closure signs. Why isn’t Caltrans able to maintain our rest areas without long, 100 percent closures? — Mark Stevens
AThis is a problem nationwide and a big reason is that many rest stops were built in the 1950s and the ones in California get a lot of use.
More than 58 million people visit the state’s 86 rest areas each year. Rest areas may be closed for a variety of reasons, from electrical issues, plumbing malfunctions, failed water quality tests, vandalism or copper theft, or an emergency event could extend a closure.
The state has been rehabilitating water and
wastewater systems at several rest areas. This has resulted in longer closures.
Caltrans was forced to indefinitely close rest stops on Interstate 80 in the Gold Run area after people flushed objects not intended for the wastewater treatment system, such as diapers, feminine products, leftover food and syringes.
Check the Caltrans QuickMap app or go to quickmap.dot.ca.gov for the status of every rest area in the state.
QLast fall I asked you about Caltrain running five-car trains instead of six-car trains during rush hour, and they responded that it was temporary until the end of 2018. However, they’re still doing it. Why? — John Phillips, Santa Clara
AIt’s gotten a little better. There are now nine five-car sets out of 20, two fewer than last year. But Caltrain officials say it doesn’t have enough cars to make every train set a six-car set and with electrification fast approaching, it wouldn’t be
fiscally prudent to purchase additional cars to use for the next few years.
QA HAWK light is sorely needed on Winchester Boulevard at Dolores Street in San Jose. I have witnessed seniors from the Valley Village Retirement Center running the gauntlet to get to the bus stop across the street. Scary! — Dianne Daly
ANo HAWK light is planned there. Email traffic.safety@sanjoseca. gov with a description of the problem so the city can put it on its docket to investigate.
QI’ve seen California license plates starting out with 8H and 8J but no 8I. Are they skipping the letter I after the 8? — Janet Brinkmann
AYes. The DMV does not use the letters I, O and Q in the first or third alpha positions of sequential license plates to avoid potential confusion.