Gary Richards, Mr. Roadshow, takes questions on Bay Area roads and traffic during a live online chat most Wednesdays. Click here for the Roadshow Q&A columns.
Best fix is to simply add a normal lane (i.e., non HOV) in each direction. I feel bad for the people who have to make such commutes, wasting hours every week stuck in traffic.-SJ guy
Hmmm...merging lanes might actually make it worse: encourages "dive bombers," like those at 880/101 and 101/680.-SJ guy
They'll add merging lanes, but that is about itWill that stretch of highway 1 from 17 to Aptos ever be widened? Much needed. I rarely drive there, but Google maps shows it constantly as "red" traffic. Even right now, at lunch hour on a weekday, there are red patches both directions.-SJ guy
I would reverse 880-101 and 101-Gilroy datesPredictions: Berryessa BART not open by end of 2019. Improvements to 880/101 done by 2029. Widening of 101 south of Gilroy done by 2039.-SJ guy
It'w on long range wishlistWill 101 ever be widened south of Gilroy? It is much needed.-SJ guy
caltrans unable to give a dateThe metering lights from DeAnza to 85N in Cupertino are out _again_ leading to 85 being a mess in the mornings. Any idea how long this might take to fix this time?-Rich
Instructional video: watch the roundabout scene from European Vacation. Chevy Chase's character has trouble with it.-SJ guy
My tip re driving in the UK or Australia: don't! Way too easy to end up on the wrong side of the road.-SJ guy
make sure to stay on "wrong" side of roadAny tips on driving in the UK? Quick how-to videos perhaps?-PiGuy
Do it all the time, what's your problem?-Teri
Used to love to drive a stick, but eventually my foot and knee starting objecting to the clutch.-SJ guy
beats meThe other day I saw SJPD pointing fingers at cars and doing a countdown with their fingers. What's that about?-Rodney
no fun, eh?Try shifting gears in a manual while making a turn.-SJ guy
lolI can't type more than one line without this computer freezing. Thus, "I like pie" -PiGuy
I suppose it's because people in the US have been conditioned to drive automatics. My personal opinion is that experience on a manual transmission creates a better driver.-Teri
vta and bart as planned for thiswIt will be interesting to see the traffic impact BART will have. Berryessa/Hedding goes from 3 lanes, to 2 lanes, to 1 lane as you head westbound. Maybury/Taylor goes from 2 lanes to 1.-SJ guy
Not sure. I'll ssk my contactsGary, a couple of weeks ago I asked a question that I'm still curious about: I've been told that hybrid cars are not available with manual transmissions, but according to my colleagues, manual transmissions on hybrid cars are very common in Europe. What gives?-Teri
Naw, pumpking pie witj whipcreamsPecan pie is best!-SJ guy
Huh?I like pie!-PiGuy
YesBerryessa BART still on "track" for opening late this year?-SJ guy
I'm sure most knowThe construction/I keep hearing radio ads for housing developments in Lathrop, which advertise that it is close to the "core Bay Area." Do buyers realize how horrible the commute would be?-SJ guy
They're working on the Matilda Mess and that's causing even more of a mess.-Teri
Paving northbound lanes is almost done, Opening 4th northbound lane next yearHave not been to Sunol grade 680 north in a while. How is that project coming along?-SJ guy
I agree. This would be a long ways, but this is a key first step.Wow, a fix at 880/101 would be wonderful. Even a modest improvement would make a big difference. Worst freeway intersection that I know of in the Bay Area.-SJ guy
AndbVTA to begin study for for fixes at 880-101m 269mat magdalena, Winchester ar 280,hi. i'm ready to go... possible topics - state average for gas is over $4 a gallon, parking changes nay be coming to san jose airport