17 San Jose traffic corridors of concern for possible ‘road diets’
Q
Who decides which roads are subjected to “road diets,” and if public opinions are considered?
It seems someone in San Jose has made it a mission to take every functional and efficient four-lane road and turn it into a not so efficient two-lane road.
Hundreds of autos are inconvenienced for the sake of a handful of cyclists. It started with Lincoln Avenue, then Naglee and now Fruitdale. Is there an end in sight?
— Jan Coffey, San Jose
A
No. The decision to remove lanes is based on statistics about collisions, injuries and deaths on a particular road, and where there are opportunities for improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
There are 17 corridors in the city that are of concern. The DOT signs off on proposals for road diets, as does the city council.
When road diets are being considered, nearby residents get notices from the city, and have a chance to comment.
Q
I was skeptical when they put Naglee Avenue by the Rose Garden on a diet, reducing it from four to two lanes, but now that it’s done, it’s great!
— Scott Miller, San Jose
A
Why is that?
Q
I live on a cross street with only two lanes. Previously, when there were four lanes, and if you were in the inside lane, you could easily get stuck behind someone turning left.
Now there is a turning only lane, so people turning left sit there and the rest of us breeze on by. It totally makes sense.
Also, there are a lot of people at the Rose Garden these days (weddings, parties, yoga, musicians jamming, gospel meetings), so there are a lot of pedestrians crossing Naglee and two lanes makes it a lot safer.
Q
Our 20-year-old daughter attends college out of state.
She wants to apply for a Real ID while home this summer. The DMV website is unclear about whether someone who is not a minor can bring two documents in their parents’ names (e.g., mortgage bill), along with proof of their relationship. Do you know if this would qualify for her?
— Wendy Hansen, Saratoga
A
Yes. If a Real ID applicant’s name does not appear on any residency documents, they may present a birth certificate, marriage license or domestic partner certificate to trace their relationship to the person whose name does appear on the residency documentation. Your daughter may also use school documents, medical documents or bank records as proof of residency.
Also, the DMV will only accept printed copies of a mortgage statement or medical bill rather than electronic files.