Q: I thought I read earlier this year that Caltrans planned to pave Interstate 880 north through Fremont in September.
Here we are, already in November, and nothing has happened. The section between Stevenson Boulevard and Thornton is so incredibly bad. I am a “gentle” driver, but I broke an axle, and ended up having to buy a new car! Do you have any updates on that project? We are expecting another rainy winter and that road is already dangerous in its current state.
Please don’t tell me they are going to let it sit through yet another winter!
Also, I see they planned to pave the Dumbarton Bridge eastbound. The actual bridge isn’t bad at all, but the section between the bridge and Newark Boulevard is horrible, especially starting just before the old toll booths and through the Thornton offramp. They paved some of that before, but it didn’t hold and now there are huge potholes and ruts everywhere. People bob and weave, trying to avoid the worst, and they look like drunken sailors.
Please ask Caltrans to pave the entire eastbound section east of the actual bridge, and not just the bridge.
Lynne Mercer
A: I’ll pass your comments on to Caltrans. And…
Q: Quite a few months ago, I asked when Caltrans was going to repave 880 in Fremont, particularly northbound between Mowry and Thornton. You said it was scheduled for earlier this year, but so far nothing. If it doesn’t happen before the rains come, it’s only going to get worse.
Please pass along a friendly reminder to Caltrans.
Sherry Hughes, Newark
A: I passed your reminder on to Janis-the-Caltrans-spokesperson for Alameda County. She said Caltrans is working to get repaving started, but given contractor availability and weather, it is possible this work will not begin until next year.
Q: Lights were installed on eastbound 580 over the Altamont, yet they are never on. Do you know why they put them there and are not using them?
Tom Beidatsch, Manteca
A: PG&E is in the process of getting the traffic lights connected on eastbound 580 from east of North Flynn Road to west of Grant Line Road. If all goes well, Caltrans estimates the job will be complete by the end of this year.
In other news in Alameda County, Caltrans will close southbound 680 between the 580/680 interchange in Pleasanton and Highway 84 in Sunol this weekend from 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3 through 4 a.m. Monday, Nov. 6 for repaving. The weekend closure accommodates repaving crews and avoids three months of nighttime road closures to do the work.
For more information about the closure, including detours, visit CalTrans’ webpage for the project. You can also call the Caltrans hotline, (510) 286-0319.
Look for Gary Richards at facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.