Q Whose DUMB idea is this car-sharing plan in San Jose? The city is BROKE, employees are losing jobs, etc.! If you can’t afford your own car, TAKE THE BUS.
Claude DeMoss
San Jose
A I think your anger will ease. The city will not purchase new vehicles and then rent them out to residents, as I originally reported. Instead, up to 10 older vehicles from the city fleet would be mothballed and city workers would have first dibs on vehicles owned by a car-sharing company. But otherwise the cars would be available to the public to rent by the hour. The idea is to lower city costs in these difficult financial times. Residents downtown are more likely to take transit, and this plan would enable them to rent a car for a few hours at a time when they need one.
Q Has anyone given you the heads up that the safety and paving project on Highway 17 is supposed to be kicking off later this month? This will affect the Santa Clara County side on 17 for months to come. What might you know about this?
Chuck Weber
A I’ll know more details later this week, but here is what I can share now. Work could be under way May 23, will be only at night between Summit Road and Lexington Reservoir and will last about 18 months.
Q If the “no turn on red” signs are here to stay at the 13th Street exit from south 101 in San Jose, then they need to re-time the light to make the green a lot longer so more cars can exit in a timely manner. It’s taking three to four light cycles to exit the freeway during the commute.
Michelle Albertson
San Jose
A A Caltrans worker tinkered with the timing of the signals and reports that the lengthy afternoon backups have been shortened considerably. The state also says no further improvements are needed, which means changing the center exit lane into a right- and left-turn lane isn’t going to happen, as many want. Drivers can only turn left from that center lane now.
Q You mentioned that Karl-the-Roadshow-Editor has noticed some problems with the “seriously screwed-up” Clarendon-De Anza signal in Cupertino. We checked it out Monday and tuned up the detection so there shouldn’t be any more problems. The cycle length at that light varies by time of day. It’s 124 seconds in the morning, 110 in midday and 140 in the evening. The wait for a green light should be no more than that.
David Stillman
Cupertino
A I have a happy editor, and that means my life is sooooo much better.
Q Will Highway 50 be closed both ways and at night, as well as during the day? We are planning a trip to Tahoe within the next few weeks. Will there be a way around the one-hour addition to our trip that you mentioned?
A.W.
A Yes, both ways, day and night. Highway 50 closed today at Echo Summit for two weeks for repairs, and it may take an extra hour to get to South Lake Tahoe. When it reopens, there will be one-way traffic control in place for approximately six weeks Mondays through noon on Fridays. Then a trip to Tahoe will take an extra 20 minutes. The road will be open over Memorial Day weekend. As far as other routes:
Q Only the seriously scrambled, those who like to get lost and those who like sitting in left-turn lanes with trucks for a couple of light changes would exit Highway 50 at Power Inn to access Highway 16 east to Jackson. Those of us who are sane would exit 50 at Bradshaw Road, turn right (south) onto Bradshaw and left (east) onto Jackson or Highway 16. The suggested detour is longer and more confusing. A better choice from the Bay Area would be to go to Stockton and catch Highway 88.
There are other alternatives for locals and the brave, such as Pioneer Trail. But remember, just because your GPS shows a road in the mountains doesn’t mean it is clear of snow or is paved. Flatlanders should stick to the main roads.
Gordon Egan
A We will.
Join Gary Richards and John Brazil, who oversees San Jose’s bicycling and pedestrian programs, on Wednesday for an hourlong chat beginning at noon at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats. Contact Gary at mrroadshow@mercurynews.com or at 408-920-5335.
