COVID-19 shutdowns speed up some transportation projects

QI see new construction barriers on the ramp from Interstate 280 to Foothill Expressway.

Does this mean the much-needed new ramp is finally coming?

— Fran Lee, San Jose

A

Yes it does. The start of construction on the I-280/Foothill off-ramp is scheduled to begin any day. It will widen the northbound I-280 ramp to Foothill from one to two lanes to improve traffic weaving between the ramp and the Highway 85 connector.

Other improvements will include:

• Installation of a new concrete barrier along the ramp.

• New roadway striping and signs.

• Removal and replacement of the existing overhead exit sign and streetlights.

Want more good news? Work is expected to be completed in November. The money comes from the sales tax approved by voters four years ago.

This is the second job being funded by that tax. The Highway 101-Highway 237-Mathilda upgrade was done last year. Q I see a lot of progress on the toll lanes on Highway 101 through San Mateo County. But could they speed up work due to light traffic because of COVID-19?

— Don Yates, Mountain View A Yes. Caltrans will work longer hours, starting at 6 a.m. between Highway 84 and Highway 92. Delays of 35 minutes are possible. The expressway lanes will stretch 22 miles from Santa Clara County to Interstate 380 and could open in 2022. Q What are they doing on Montage Expressway?

— Sandy Brown, Milpitas

A

The Valley Transportation Authority is building a pedestrian bridge between South Milpitas Boulevard and East Capitol Avenue to connect the Great Mall area to the Milpitas Transit Center and BART station.

This should be done next month. The 229-footlong steel bridge will include a staircase leading from the ground floor. Q Your answer about renewing a registration on a car that is in Ohio and is due for a smog check, while not wrong, was incomplete.

There is a DMV form (REG 5103) called “Application for temporary smog exemption for a vehicle located out-of-state.” Use this form to renew and get the sticker. Many DMV clerks are unaware of this exemption and will try to deny it. If that happens, ask for a supervisor.

— Peter Cohen,

Pleasanton

AThanks.

Q

If covering up the metering lights is too much work for Caltrans, this sounds like a grassroots operation for all the drivers out there. One trash bag and a little bit of duct tape would do the work. Let’s all chip in and help out Caltrans!

— Wes Peters, Los Gatos A Said tongue-in-cheek, I hope.