For a change, readers cheer some of Caltrans’ roadwork

Q

Please give a shoutout to Caltrans for their work on Interstate

280 from Foothill Expressway to Woodside Road. I used 280 when it was only partially completed back in 1970 and it is now smoother and quieter than the original, and they did the work at night.

— Don Schmickrath, Los Altos Hills

A

Today is mostly a good news day. The new pavement is partially rubber, which is smoother and quieter.

Q

I drive San Tomas Expressway between Stevens Creek Boulevard and Budd Avenue. Compliments to whoever is responsible. The grass is cut down, and there’s no garbage on the roadway. I see many complaints about trash on the freeways. Not on San Tomas.

— Denise Heenan

A

The Santa Clara County Roads division gets the pat on the back for this.

Q

As a frequent walker and driver on Grant Road near El Camino Hospital at the intersection of Sleeper Avenue and Grant, I have seen some very dangerous pedestrian crossings. The center median has been removed so pedestrians can pass through from Sleeper to Cuesta Park across four lanes on Grant. It is not a crosswalk, but drivers and pedestrians sometimes treat it as a crosswalk because of the median removal.

That removal has created a very ambiguous situation for drivers and pedestrians.

This is a very heavily traveled section of Grant due to El Camino Hospital, Cuesta Park and the “Y” in the immediate area.

Blocking pedestrians or making it an official crosswalk with a caution light or signal should be done before it is too late. Is there a fix planned?

— Wil Hand, Mountain View

A

Mountain View is studying alternatives to improve the pedestrian and bicycle crossing at Grant and Sleeper. They will be presented to the neighborhood at a virtual community meeting on Oct. 22.

Q

Several busy roads — Newhall Street, Scott Boulevard, Homestead Road — were prepped for resurfacing, but when are they going to wrap up this project so the roads aren’t so rough and full of debris that gets kicked up?

— Doug Kiner

A

Roadwork is done and street sweepers will be out. New concrete access ramps and paving will be coming.

Q

A reader from Morgan Hill stated it cost $42 for a large two-item trash pickup. Maybe that’s the case there. But in San Jose, our garbage company will pick up an unlimited number of large items as many times as you request. All for free! Please remind readers of this valuable service.

— Sue Dileanis, San Jose

A

Mrs. Roadshow and I tried that excellent service for the first time a few weeks ago.