Q: What does Caltrans plan for Interstate 80 between Richmond and Albany? All lanes were recently restriped, moved drivers to the outside of the roadway and eliminated center “shoulder” areas. Concrete center dividers are being demolished. I can’t find information on Caltrans’ website.
Julianne Anderson, El Sobrante
A: Caltrans is making major pavement repairs on Interstate 80 in Contra Costa County. It will require closures of eastbound and westbound 80 traffic on four different weekends. One traffic direction will be worked on at a time.
Eastbound 80 will be closed for a total of 56 hours over the weekends of July 21, Aug. 4 and Aug. 18. Eastbound traffic will be detoured beginning at the Highway 4 interchange in Hercules. Closures start Fridays after 9 p.m. and end the following Mondays no later than 5 a.m.
Westbound 80 will be closed for 104 hours over Labor Day weekend, starting Thursday, Aug. 31 at 9 p.m. and ending no later than 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Traffic will be detoured beginning at the 80-780 interchange in Vallejo.
For more information, visit Caltrans’ website for the project or call the CC I-80 Pave Project Hotline at (510) 286-0319.
Q: I read a suggestion from a reader last week about putting grooves in local roads to prevent sideshows. These grooves could be quite hazardous to bicyclists. Grooves and ruts can grab bicycle tires and cause a crash, if a bicyclist loses control of their bike. Roads already have enough obstacles that those of us who ride must avoid. I don’t want intentional hazards.
Anonymous
A: And…
Q: A reader suggested putting grooves in roadways to deter sideshows. Grooves could be downright dangerous for bicycles with tires that aren’t much wider than the grooves. Grooves are great on high-speed roads, where hydroplaning is an issue and there are no bicyclists. However, hydroplaning is not an issue on low-speed roads. It seems like an expensive idea that causes its own set of problems.
Jim Bodwin, Cupertino
A: You both raise good points.
Q: In a recent column, you indicated what the DMV looks for during driving tests. It appears by the high number of idiots I see driving that the DMV has very low standards that allow incompetent drivers to be issued a driver’s license.
Bruce Beyer, Sunnyvale
A: You were one of several people who questioned whether the DMV had too high a pass rate for their behind-the-wheel tests for a California driver’s license.
Q: I think all driving “road” tests should be done in a simulator. The current test does little to see if you have adequate driving skills or are a safe driver. In a simulator, you could have a ball bounce into the street and see if the driver prepares for the child who runs after it, among other possible tests.
Max Steinke
Look for Gary Richards at facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.