Caltrans to attack out-of-control weeds, dangerous trees: Roadshow
Commuter noticed his car with new tires does not shake while driving on Highway 85 when there are more people in the car.
Q: Weeds have become part of our landscaping and the trash easily gets wrapped into the weeds. It is a sad state to look at day after day. Have people become blind to the state of the highway surroundings? I hope I am not the lone voice of concern.
Donna Guldimann, Saratoga
A: Hah! Believe me, you are not.
Q: Our freeways are a mess. Southbound Highway 17 at Highway 85, those weeds on the left on the overcrossing are 5 feet high and have been there so long people hang Christmas ornaments on them each year. … On Niles Canyon from Fremont to Sunol, there are trees hanging over the roadway and haven’t been trimmed back in some time. This limits visibility on corners and will create fallen trees on and massive traffic jams when winter approaches. … Why can’t California cut its weeds on Interstate 880? Our gas tax goes up, our tolls go up, but no improvement. … I drive Highway 85 and have noticed some pretty tall weeds in the center divide. Is Caltrans planning to cut these? … This is quite embarrassing.
Mike Anderson, Herman Betchart, Rich Burnley, Jennifer Wallig and so many others
A: Embarrassing it is. But maybe not for long. Starting Wednesday Caltrans will begin a yearlong effort to whack vegetation, cut tree branches and remove diseased trees near power lines over the entire Bay Area, starting in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Crews will be out day and night and ramps will be the main target.
Q: I wanted to thank you for your piece about the tire problem on Highway 85. I drive that freeway a couple of times a week and as with other grooved freeway lanes have always noticed a slight wander when driving on them. But, recently we bought a new car and it shook violently for me to be concerned there was a problem.
I was going to have the car checked when I take it in for the first service. Now that I know it was due to new tires and road modifications I can drive without concerns that something major is wrong. Glad and thankful you put the word out.
Jeff Hacker, Palo Alto
A: And here’s another 85 driver with a possible solution.
Q: I have the same problem driving on 85 with my new Firestone tires. Major shake and shimmy. Very unnerving. It’s been seven months and 6,000 miles and the problem still occurs. But I’ve noticed when there are more people in the car it shimmies less, so I plan to add a 50-pound bag of gravel to the trunk to see if that helps. For now, I avoid 85 when I can and never drive 85 in the rain.
Steve Nestle, San Jose
A: Keep us posted. We must know if this helps.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.