Crews pick up the pace on Bay Area express lane projects

Q: There’s very little traffic. Tell Caltrans to speed up their (work) schedule.

Tony Lima, San Francisco

A: Anyone else?

Like Mr. Roadshow’s Facebook page for more questions and answers about Bay Area roads, freeways and commuting.

Q: Interstate 880 through Hayward. Potholes galore and bumps. Why can’t they repave the freeway while there are very few cars on the road? … Also, Highway 101 has a lot of potholes. … Is Caltrans speeding up any construction now that they could close down a lane or two with little effect all day, compared to a previously normal time? … Are there projects that could be accelerated to take advantage of the light traffic during the COVID-19 shutdown, like Highway 101 at Alemany Circle?

W.C. McDill, Michael Schulman, Bruce Lee and many more

A: Caltrans priority is to maintain access to medical facilities and continuing safe highway operations such as on Interstate 5, where truck traffic remains heavy. Crews are still reporting to handle hazards, safety concerns, and other critical functions on the highways. However, the state is deferring some non-essential tasks to limit the exposure to COVID-19.

Here are some updates:

Work on express lanes on interstates 680 and 880 continues in Alameda County. Lighter traffic has prompted Caltrans to approve longer windows for construction-related lane closures.

The contractor on the Interstate 680 carpool and express lane project in Contra Costa County is implementing a plan to accelerate construction and potentially complete the next phase by the end of this year — one year early. Because of the extremely light traffic on Interstate 680, they have requested and received enhanced lane closure authorization from Caltrans, which will allow them to work into the daylight hours (previously they were only allowed to work at night).

The Interstate 680/State Route 4 Interchange project has also received approval to work longer hours at night.

Caltrans is performing emergency overnight roadwork on southbound 101 between northbound Vermont Street and the Cesar Chavez exit in San Francisco. This is near San Francisco General Hospital and the related “Hospital Curve.” This could close three of four lanes on some on-ramps and off-ramps.

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Roadshow live chat, Sept. 16 at noon

Roadshow: Advice from a lemon owner who got satisfaction

Highway 237 in line for changes down the road: Roadshow Q: During my 20-mile bike ride last week, I counted 23 surgical-type gloves lying next to the roadway along Foothill Expressway and Alpine Road. Please remind folks not to throw used gloves (or any trash) out of their vehicles. This type of debris doesn’t decompose and will pollute our creeks, bay, and the ocean. Instead, keep a plastic trash bag in the car/truck to collect used gloves and other garbage. Dispose of these trash bags in designated waste receptacles, not out vehicle windows.

Genevieve Halvorsen

A: Well stated, especially about the impact on our waterways.

Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats. Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.



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