Font ResizeQ I would LOVE to see the new express lane from 237/880 extend all the way up to Highway 238! I could use it the entire way home!
Sally Diaz
A Your wish will be granted. Construction could be under way in a few years to convert the carpool lane on Interstate 880 into a toll lane from Highway 237 in Milpitas to Marina Boulevard in San Leandro. And by 2015 it is possible the toll lane on 237 will extend to Lawrence Expressway in Sunnyvale.
It will be a few weeks before tolls are collected at 237-880. The Valley Transportation Authority has begun testing the electronic tolling system, and those with a FasTrak transponder may hear a beeping sound if using the express lane while tests are performed. But no one will be charged until the tolling facility opens sometime next month.
Q When are they going to make some safety changes to the downtown Hayward offramp from Highway 92 at Hesperian Boulevard? The sign that says downtown Hayward is appropriately placed, but the ramp is difficult to maneuver due to the angle of the road bank flattening before you actually enter the exit ramp. Also it is difficult to see the lane markers until the last minute. Are there any plans to install exit-only lane markers so you won't be surprised by the sudden change in the road surface?
Bruce Joder
Hayward
Q I would like to request a carpool lane be added to the Stevenson Boulevard onramp to southbound Interstate 880 in Fremont. There is room to add another lane. Can you pass this request on to the right people?
Jaroslav Boulatski
Fremont
A I did, and Caltrans says this is on the state's "to do" list, pending the availability of funds. Officials with the Alameda County Transportation Commission said a project such as this could be considered for funding with the sales tax from the reauthorization and augmentation of the Measure B program in Alameda County. That could be on the ballot in November.
Q I was driving home on Interstate 680 recently and noticed something interesting about the pricing for the express lane. The price to travel the shorter distance from Highway 84 to Mission Boulevard was higher than the price to travel all the way to 237 from 84. This has happened multiple times but the most recent was last week. The top price to Mission was listed at 60 cents and the lower price to 237 was listed in the 40- to 50-cent range. How is this possible and how would this be charged correctly via FasTrak?
Devin Foley
Fremont
Q The toll-lane tech guys say this should never occur. They will be contacting you to get more information.
Q I cannot wait for the metering lights to be turned on along Interstate 280 through downtown San Jose. What is the ETA? This not only will help traffic on 280, it could improve traffic flow on southbound 880 during the evening commute as well.
Bob Brasher
San Jose
A The southbound meters between I-880 and 11th Street could be turned on late this spring, but the northbound meters won't be until this fall.
Q I witnessed something on the way home from work this week and wasn't sure what to do about it, so naturally I turn to you. I had just gotten on southbound I-880 when I saw a car in the left lane dart around the car in front of him -- we were crawling at about 20-25 mph -- and went around in a tight little semicircle. Then he slammed on the brakes. You've written about this dangerous practice, so you know what was going on.
Bruce N.
Los Gatos
A Oh, gawd. A brake screecher -- fools suffering from road rage who slam on their brakes to get back at another driver. These folks top Roadshow's Darth Vader list. Time in San Quentin would be too good for them.
Q In this case, the guy behind had so little room, he hit him. I figured the guy in the second car probably called the cops, so I made a mental note of the bad guy's license number and drove on.
But what's bothering me is that the trailing car is almost always at fault in a rear-end collision, legally. And that would be so unfair in this case. Not knowing if there even is a police report, who can I call to make sure that idiot doesn't get away with blaming it on the guy who hit him?
Bruce N.
A Definitely call the CHP. In the San Jose area, that number is 408-467-5400. You can also dial 800-Tell-CHP statewide.
Q There are several street signs with "HM" crossed out in Berkeley. What do they mean?
Joe Davis
San Jose
A "HM" means "No Hazardous" materials can be transported on those streets.
Q Dear High Priest of the HOV Lane: You did it! The Sand Hill Road bike lane has been re-striped and it looks great! A friend and I got to check it out on a ride the other day.
Tom Pochylski
Cupertino
A Thanks go to road crews who jumped on this safety issue.
Q I've recently started taking Highway 237 east from 101 south much more often than I used to. The first several times I tried to do that, I missed the exit, and wasted a lot of time figuring out how to get back. The problem is that the exit sign for the 237 exit isn't lit, so at night it's almost impossible to see, and the exit (right after an underpass) is very easy to miss. Will it be feasible to light up that "East 237" sign at night, or make it more reflective, or something?
Jed Hartmwan
A The light structure was damaged by a car crash and should be repaired by the end of this month.
Have a gripe, minor annoyance or major problem with transportation? Look for Gary Richards at www.facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@mercurynews.com or 408-920-5335. The fax number is 408-288-8060.
