What happens if I park in a space marked for electric cars? Roadshow
Q: I complained a while back about the trash along Monterey Road from San Jose to Morgan Hill. Well, the last two Saturdays I drove down there I thought I was in a parallel universe. The road is pristine. Trash is gone, for the most part, weeds mowed, new gravel around the tracks.
Jill Swanson, San Jose
A: This is great news. Up next, more watching for those illegally dumping, graffiti removal and trimming branches from dead trees.
Q: In a parking lot at a big shopping center, when there are spots labeled for electric vehicles where there are no charging stations, is it a suggestion or a mandate? Will someone be ticketed for parking in that spot or just considered a social pariah for not being able to afford an electric vehicle? I don’t park in those spots, but am curious how those saved spots work.
S.F., Belmont
A: Here’s how: Cities do not have the authority to enforce signs erected on private property reserving parking spaces for vanpools and clean air vehicles even if there are no chargers. The property owner can’t issue tickets to those who violate their parking signs, but, if they choose, they can post and enforce signs stating that violators could be towed.
Q: I hope the upgraded interchange at Highway 101 and Woodside Road (Highway 84) will include grade separations on Woodside from El Camino Real to 101. A sales tax hike in 1988 promised to convert this stretch of Highway 84 into a short freeway. Well, after 31 years, I’m still waiting.
Bill Stock, Emerald Hills
A: Your wait will continue for many more years. Redwood City officials did consider alternatives that separated Broadway and Woodside, but the benefits were not great. The current project extends to roughly Bay Road, but without additional grade separations for Woodside Road.
Q: What are they going to do with all that beach traffic clogging Los Gatos’ streets? This is not NIMBY. The Bay Area has grown by leaps and bounds and property prices have soared to levels that people brag about. How about forcing infrastructure improvements that reflect this reality?
George-a-Facebook-Guy
A: The Measure B sales tax includes money to deploy advanced transportation technology to reduce freeway cut thru traffic in Los Gatos, including traffic signal control system upgrades in the town. For four months, beginning July 1, the town will also test turning North Santa Cruz Avenue into a one-way street heading southbound. It will include lots of parklets to help officials experience what wider sidewalks might bring to the town for the future and reduce traffic.
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats. Look for Gary at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.