Modesto-Bakersfield repairs are important though costly

QBuilding the ModestoBakersfield Express through Pacheco Pass is more important than spending $1 billion to rebuild the interchange at Highway 101 and Interstate 880. That’s basically sucked since I was a child.

— John Hamblin,

Walnut Creek

AJohn just turned 67, so the difficult trek from 101 to the Central Valley has been a thorn on his drive for a long time.

This would cost far more than you can imagine — at least $300 million to build a four-lane expressway from 101 east to 156 near Hollister. But the state has a pot of cash to improve corridors that deal with heavy truck traffic, as this does. So progress will be made, we just don’t know when.

QIs there any update on widening 101 from south San Jose to the San Benito County line?

— Michael Jones, Gilroy

A

It will be upgraded to a six-lane highway sometime during the next decade. This will also eliminate the dangerous left turns from 101 to side roads.

QThe Valley Transportation Authority is building a pedestrian bridge across Montague Expressway to connect the BART station to the Great Mall.

Is it getting closer to completion? It will be great walking across the pedestrian bridge over Montague once it’s done.

— J. Fee

AThere is still more work to be done on the pedestrian overcrossing related to the elevator. The estimated time for completion is late spring, perhaps April.

QI’ve noticed while driving on Bay Area freeways lately, repeated encounters with “ninjas” — aggressive, recklessly speeding drivers that make sudden moves weaving through traffic, often in a sporty car. One I encountered on 101 appeared to have the rear license plate dimmed with some kind of overlay. What can be done about these irresponsible drivers?

— Mark Eastman, East Palo Alto

AYou be the role model. Ignore the speed demons.

QWay back in August, I ordered personalized plates in the hopes of giving them as a Christmas gift. My receipt said “812 weeks.” Here we are in mid-December and still no plates. Has the pandemic slowed everything down?

If you print this, can you please not use my name? The surprise and all could be blown.

— Anonymous Gift- Giver

AWork on these plates was suspended because of the pandemic. Production may resume in a few weeks. Since they likely won’t be here in time for Christmas, can you wrap a box with a hand- drawn facsimile of what you ordered, so you can give the gift of the surprise even if not the actual plates yet, which is out of your control?

And know this — you tried!