End of toll booths and new collection plan in works

QWith the recent changes on toll collection on Bay Area bridges, will the state be making changes to the roadways at the toll booths? I’m thinking that what the state has done with the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge (westbound traffic from Vallejo to Crockett), open lanes to the left, should be done with all of the other bridges. With no toll collector on duty, the booths remain an impediment to traffic. The spreading out of the lanes before the booths and then recombining them after the booth create traffic issues that can be alleviated by a straight-through lane.

— Robert Drury A Bridge officials agree with you about toll booths being an obstacle. They plan to demolish all toll booths and most toll plazas while constructing new gantries — the overhead structures with signage and other equipment that span the toll plazas. They will also be installing a new toll collection system. The plan is to convert the next toll plaza in 2023. However, with the 20% drop in toll revenue due to shelter-in-place, continued funding for this project may be delayed.

Q

For a few years, I have noticed bumpers left at the scene of accidents on the medians of East Bay freeways, like Interstate 580 and Highway 24. Any reason for this?

— Karen McNeil, Oakland

A

This from Ray-theTow-truck- Guy:

“We are supposed to take the bumper covers, as well as other detritus, along with the vehicle when we tow away the wreck. But often, the cars have moved away from the site of the initial impact, so the bumper cover may not be visible or in a safe place to retrieve it.

“Often, the CHP or other agency clearing the scene of a collision will toss the bumper cover to the shoulder or center divider just to get it out of the way.

“The CHP wants the road open ASAP, so sometimes we just sweep the trash to the shoulder and scrape the car up and get out of the way, then deal with the reports and other aspects of the crash in a much safer place than the highway.” Q Just reading about the proposed mileage tax, my husband and I think this is a good solution. I think it’s brilliant because I thought of it.

Make the tax charged with registration a flat rate for everyone. Every car is taxed the maximum amount, and you can have it reduced if you agree to submit your mileage through an installed device.

If you want your “privacy,” you pay extra for it. — Sue bowerman, Union City A Brilliant. Works for me.