Los Gatos’ Waze traffic backups still ‘crippling’: Roadshow

Q: I was coming down Old Santa Cruz Highway and was absolutely stunned to see every street in downtown Los Gatos a parking lot. Cars headed to Labor Day weekend at the beaches were trying to save two or three miles on 17 and ended up sitting in what must have been a one-hour-plus crawl through town to get to the northern entrance to 17 from Santa Cruz Avenue. A shortcut that is a big mistake backed up end to end because that blockage did not show on Waze.

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As I rode by the line of cars I could only shake my head. Several on narrow, winding Hernandez Road tried to get out of the jam by pulling out into the wrong-way side of the road and passing the line and driving toward me on my bike — into oncoming traffic of the opposite lane! No place to turn around on that 1½-mile road. No way to get back in line.

I regularly bike that way to get to Saratoga and you might usually see one or two cars if you are lucky.

Businesses in downtown Los Gatos must be fuming. Who would go there to shop when you cannot get into town? Residents must be on fire and hopping mad.

Bob Williams, Saratoga

A: Many are. Matt-the Los-Gatos-Traffic-Man sounds discouraged: “Mapping apps like Google and Waze continue to disregard the design of small neighborhood streets to serve the neighborhoods by directing regional traffic into those neighborhoods for some misconceived hope of saving time. The results are often crippling impacts to these neighborhoods, with folks unable to even leave their driveway due to stopped traffic on the streets.

“Frustration levels in the town are high. After years of trying many mitigation measures, we are focusing on improvements to Highway 17 through engagement with regional and state partners. Although slightly longer-term, this option may provide some relief.”

Q: Saratoga recently installed speed humps to reduce traffic speed on Allendale Road. The humps extend across the traffic lanes, leaving the bikes lanes and shoulders clear. Several times I have seen cars move to the shoulder to bypass the humps at full speed. This, of course, is extremely dangerous for bikers and pedestrians. Unfortunately, the situation appears to be more dangerous with the humps than without them.

I see no better resolution than removing the humps, but is there a better solution?

Larry Voss, San Jose

A: Maybe. Saratoga has plans to install buffered bike lanes there soon. Currently, only shoulder stripes exist. Once the bike lanes are installed, sheriff deputies will be directed to do enforcement to stop the practice. We hope.

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