Clean air vehicle decals good for half-price tolls on state bridges

Q

I have Googled this, and searched the DMV website for rules for using a sticker for an electric vehicle, but have had no success finding an answer. It could be because of my lack of search sophistication on the computer, but I need to know my parameters.

May I go through the Bay Bridge toll gates (I have the latest FasTrak transponder) and also use toll lanes, such as on southbound Interstate 680? Where can I find those rules? I was sure the new sticker would come with instructions. Hah!

— Rob Hall, Walnut Creek

A

Here you go. You can use your electric vehicle sticker for:

• Half-price bridge tolls at the Bay Bridge (and other state-owned toll bridges) during weekday carpool hours. You must pay with FasTrak and use the carpool lane.

• Free travel on the I-580 express lanes in the Tri-Valley. You must use a FasTrak clean air sticker or a FasTrak Flex tag set in the “2” or “3+'”position.

• Half-price tolls on other express lanes (Interstate 680 in Contra Costa County, I-880 in Alameda County and Highways 101 and 237 in the South Bay and on the Peninsula.

Go to bayareafastrak. org/en/support/clean-airvehicle.shtml for more information.

Q

Who is responsible for Decoto Road between Cabrillo Drive and I-880 in north Fremont? This 1,000-foot-long segment has been a perpetual rattle-your-teeth, badly maintained section of road for 20 years. When I've tried to figure out who is responsible for it, I've had the state and the city (Fremont) point fingers at each other. The state says the segment is a city road, the city says it is part of the I-880 interchange. I'd just like it fixed and maintained.

— Tim Riener, Fremont

A

Fortunately, Fremont and Caltrans have gotten past the finger-pointing stage, and are now working together on a major overhaul. This work will fix the pavement, improve operations for the Dumbarton express bus and drivers, and provide a safe route for people walking and bicycling through the interchange to access a nearby trail to the Ardenwood Historic Farm and Park. They hope to secure funding from new federal sources and for construction to occur in 2025.

Q

I recently visited my local AAA office in Capitola. I wanted an Arizona map. They said they didn't have one and were discontinuing paper maps. This is sad news for someone like me who loves to get the big picture with a paper map.

I thought I'd pass this information on to you so you can let others know. It is the passing of yet another staple I've relied on for decades.

— Jim Martin, Aptos

A

Me, too. AAA maps were good tools, particularly for road trips.