The Mercury News

The Golden Gate Bridge is still open to pedestrian­s

- Gary Richards COLUMNIST Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat at noon Wednesdays at www.mercurynew­s. com/live-chats. Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/ mr.roadshow, or contact him at mrroadshow@ bayareanew­sgroup.com or 408-920-5335.

QEvery year on my husband‘s birthday our family walks across the Golden Gate Bridge. We are planning to go this weekend. I would like to find outifthebr­idge has been very busy with people walking since we are very concerned about COVID-19 issues. We don’t want to be walking very close to other people. Also, will the parking lot be open?

— Joan Rabin,

Los Altos

AI love your tradition. Bridge visitorshi­p has declined significan­tly during the pandemic, but there is occasional crowding on weekends and holidays. With dry and warm weather forecast this Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend, I would expect a good number of walkers. Bridge officials will announce their plans today for this weekend. Check goldengate.org for updated informatio­n. Any parking lot closures will be highlighte­d on a bright orange banner at thetopofth­epage.

Keep face masks on, and maintain physical distance, as you normally would. Try to hold to your tradition, and be ready to make that celebrator­y birthday walk together belatedly, on a quieter weekend, if crowds make it COVIDunsaf­e.

QWhy does this 10mile stretch of Highway 101 between Gilroy and Morgan Hill seem so forgotten?

A major effort to rehab the road was made back in 2016, I believe. A cement mixing facility was actually set up in one of the cloverleaf­s. But this effort resulted in the patched areas being considerab­ly higher than the surroundin­g pavement. The road was almost more uncomforta­ble than before that repair. Despite two attempts to repair it, you can still feel the patches.

Today, the southbound lane 3 is a mess. Some parts cannot be driven in if you care about your load or vehicle. My question is, why this road did not get more attention?

—SteveSayle

AThere are plans to widen 101 into San Benito County in a few more years. But here’s the bad news. Repaving 101 is not on the list anytime soon. Q I have traveled from NewMexicoa­ndArizona to California, and the difference in driver behavior is staggering. All through New Mexico and Arizona, folks move to the right when not passing. Not here.

— Christa Fenus-Cates

AHere’s the way the California law reads: Any vehicle proceeding at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction shall be driven in the right-hand lane or as close as practicabl­e to the right-hand edge or curb, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersecti­on or into a private road or driveway.

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