Highway 85 exit needs fix, but it won't be soon
QHas the northbound Highway 85 exit at Fremont Avenue in Sunnyvale been evaluated at all? Cars often back up beyond the exit ramp, causing heartstopping slowdowns. One simple fix would be to allow right turns from both exit ramp lanes, better distributing the traffic flow. — Mary Cwynar,
Sunnyvale
AThis has been a heart-stopping mess for far too many years. There are long-range plans to redo the interchanges at Fremont Avenue and nearby El Camino Real, but a date for that work is well down the road. Your simple fix is not a bad idea. I'll pass it on to the city and Caltrans. Stay tuned.
QWhile some of the concrete work on Interstate 280 does not appear to be holding up well, one thing I am loving are the new on- and off-ramps. Wow. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say the ones in Palo Alto and Woodside
used to be the worst I've ever encountered and now they are sublime, as are all the others. It makes getting on and off 280 so much easier.
— Steve Rempel,
Los Altos
A
Yes, they do. Now on to another change you like.
Q
Can I also toss out kudos for the green bike lane paint that was added to Foothill Expressway at the El Monte and San Antonio road intersections? As an experienced cyclist, I know how to negotiate these intersections safely, but the paint helps car drivers better understand how these intersections are designed to function.
— Steve Rempel
AThe green bike lanes get an A-plus from Mr. Roadshow for making drivers more aware of bicyclists' presence and the importance of helping to keep bicyclists safe. Green bike lanes are in use in many parts of the Bay Area. Drivers now understand how to navigate them. I get few complaints about these bike lanes now, unlike a few years ago, when they were new and confused some drivers.
QI have a 2015 Prius C with about 20,000 miles on it. Could I drive it to Los Angeles or Anaheim from Mountain View? I mean, is its engine big enough for me to drive down there and back? Some people seem to have positive experiences with it. What is your say? Maybe you could bring up a discussion in your column.
— Charlotte Wang,
Mountain View
AYes, you can drive it there. However, among concerns about the Prius C, which Toyota no longer produces, is that it can feel sluggish, and has trouble reaching cruising speeds efficiently. On Interstate 5, that could be a concern. The ride also is seen by some people as being bumpy because of the car's short wheelbase.