Adding third lane on congested I-5 should be made a priority

Q I keep reading complaints about Interstate 5. Who can we contact about improving I-5 and other California highways? The governor uses a helicopter and doesn’t know the problems of ordinary citizens who are driving. Perhaps a letterwriting campaign would help get California’s elected officials to prioritize fixing our highways, using part of the state budget surplus.

— Robert Hull, Scotts Valley

A Folks, it’s time to take action and pepper state elected officials with letters and emails about how bad the stretch of I-5 between Northern and Southern California has become as traffic has increased. I-5 is just two lanes wide in each direction. Readers report many problems with this highly traveled road.

Q Driving continuously in the right lane, given the horrible state of California roads and I-5, in particular, is essentially asking for destroyed suspension, wheels and tires, not to mention the need for a neck and back specialist.

— Ed Oates

A Here’s what you need to do, if you agree with these and other frustrated I-5 drivers. Contact the 13-member California Transportation Commission with your recommendation that a third lane needs to be added in both directions. The CTC is responsible for allocating funds for construction of highway, passenger rail, transit and active transportation improvements throughout California.

Mail: California Transportation Commission, 1120 N Street MS 52, Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-654-4245 Email: ctc@catc.ca.gov

Q I suggest that the second exit lane from Highway 101 south to Highway 87 be a carpool-only lane. My concern is that the extra traffic of a second exit lane could cause a backup from 87 onto 101.

— Bob Brasher

A Construction now underway will add a second turn lane, both lanes allowing drivers to turn right onto 87. The left of these two lanes will allow drivers to drive straight on 101, or to turn right.

Q You discussed cars driving with lights off. Newer cars have a light position that detects darkness and turns them on automatically, but I keep mine on all the time. It is a safety issue.

A downside is that when the lights are on, the dashboard dims and makes those illuminations harder to see in daylight, even at the highest setting. It’s too bad manufacturers don’t offer a setting that allows the lights to be on without affecting the dashboard.

— Frank Heinisch, Brentwood

A So true.

Q Would synchronizing signals on Lawrence Expressway between Oakmead Parkway and Cabrillo Avenue ease traffic as much as building the Lawrence Grade Separation? — Bob Brasher

A Signal lights are synchronized now on Lawrence Expressway. “Signal timing improvements hit a ceiling when traffic demand reaches capacity,” said Ananth-the-County-Traffic-Man.