Much more in store to improve traffic at Blossom Hill and 101

QYou understated the significant improvements for bicycle and pedestrian connectivity on Blossom Hill Road at Highway 101. A bicycle/pedestrian path, approximately half-mile in length, will be constructed between Monterey Road to the Coyote Creek Trail east of 101. The path will provide a continuous grade separated facility that crosses over or under the ramps and would be elevated over the northbound on-ramp by10 feet.

— William Wagner,

San Jose

AYou are well-versed in this project, but there is much more to come.

QIs there anything at 101 and Blossom Hill for drivers who are paying the $35 million to do this work?

A— D. Fuentes, San Jose

Oh, yes. Here is what else is coming:

• Adding one lane in each direction on Blossom Hill plus an eastbound lane leading to the northbound loop on-ramp.

• Widening the northbound off-ramp to accommodate two leftturn lanes, one through lane, and one right-turn lane.

• Reconfiguration of the eastbound approach to the Blossom Hill northbound offramp with two leftturn lanes and two through lanes and modification of the traffic signal at the intersection.

• Widening of the 101 southbound off-ramp into three right-turn lanes and one left-turn lane along with modification of the traffic signal at the intersection.

• Reconfiguration of Monterey Road to eastbound Blossom Hill ramp to increase weaving distance between Monterey and 101.

Q

Why did they remove all the “slower traffic keep right” signs from the left lanes?

A— Josh Smith

Some of these signs remain — even on I-280. But HOV signs, merging signs and others have crowded urban areas making it difficult to keep adding the signs you want. Q

Other than wet roads, why do you not like cruise control?

— Mo Langdon

AI feel cruise control can lull me into a sleep-like trance on busy roads like I-280.

QAs I passed a big rig on the freeway, I was reminded of the Ben Hur chariot race. Ben’s nemesis in the chariot next to him had large, sharp blades sticking out from his “hubcap.” The big rig I saw did not have blades, it did have very long bolts sticking out, ready to pulverize anything in its way. And then I saw those long bolts on a school bus! What could possibly be the reason for such protruding bolts? Why are they not outlawed as being dangerous?

A— Jeff Winters, San Jose

They may look sharp and dangerous, but they are plastic, you can bend them with your fingers and they pop right off or crush easily. They are not much thicker than foil.