More tales of potholes and Bay Area roadways in dire need of TLC: Roadshow
Roadways are crumbling in many places ... The need for road repairs has grown significantly ... and quickly ... after various weather extremes.
Q: Driving Highway 85 south, taking the Interstate 280 north exit recently, I heard a huge BANG. My left front wheel was bent after hitting a pothole. I won’t take that route again anytime soon.
Rajiv Bhatej
A: You seem to be singing a statewide theme song now. Roadways are crumbling in many places after the onslaught of this winter’s drenching rains, on top of early September’s brutal heat dome. The need for road repairs has grown significantly … and quickly … after various weather extremes.
Q: After driving El Camino Real recently, I think Disney should be given control of that road. With little effort, they could turn it into a new thrill ride, known perhaps, as “Mr. Newsom’s Wild Rumble.” People would pay to enter in a vehicle with rigid suspension before risking various length trips, depending on their age and physical stamina to endure such rides. Perhaps the company could build a nice, modern causeway directly above the attraction for daily drivers who simply want to get easily from point A to point B.
Dan Swinehart, Palo Alto
A: I can imagine the ride you describe.
Q: Considering poor road conditions on Chesbro Avenue in San Jose, Governor Schwarzenegger staged a news event here in 2005, discussing potholes and plugging budget proposals. Guess it’s time for a Governor Newsom visit.
Cliff Tuel, San Jose
A: I was at that press conference. How many more governors will need to visit this site before we conquer the pothole problem?
Q: There are huge potholes on Ford Street in Oakland between the old Nikkos and Carpet Warehouse. Oakland never fixes this little section of a very busy road that funnels traffic into Alameda and toward the 23rd Avenue crossing over 880. Maybe you can get them to fix this short section of road.
Ryan Schofield
A: Oakland is about to begin a massive street repair program. City Council members were asked to list priorities for the next few years and each one included road repairs at or near the top of their lists.
Q: I was surprised that southbound 101 from Fair Oaks to Lawrence wasn’t included as one of the worst roads in the Bay Area. I’ve driven most of the roads listed. None come close to the disintegrating pavement on that stretch of 101.
Larry Blair
A: There is no imminent repaving planned for this area. Hang in there.
Q: Yes, we have many poor roads. However, the section of Highway 17 between 85 and 280 is great. The contractor who did that work really knows how to build a road. It is flat and very smooth. I’d like to see them repair some of our streets!
George Midwin
A: So agree.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanews.com.