Why are trucks allowed on this commute road? Roadshow
Reader says it's a little tight even for sedans and downright dangerous for big rigs.
Q: I’ve always thought that semi trucks should not be allowed on Niles Canyon, given the narrow, windy roads and the fact that they can go around via 680 to Mission Boulevard. But given the construction they are doing on Niles Canyon Road now, I think it is especially important to ban them now.
Niles Canyon near Palomares is very narrow, with an abrupt turn that makes it difficult for even larger sedans to navigate, let alone a huge truck. I think we should ban trucks from using that road until construction is complete, but ideally, ban them for good.
Max Ritter, Livermore
A: I understand your concerns. There are no plans to ban trucks here as there are no good alternatives for big rigs in this area.
Q: The infamous Highway 37 in the North Bay is a major thoroughfare for tourists visiting the wine country, but anyone from out of state who drives it would have a poor opinion of California’s infrastructure, and rightfully so.
Highway 37 is also used by 40,000 commuters twice a day, five days a week.
Pierre Auroy, Novato
A: Yes, this road is a mess. I wager that it will be a top priority when California uses its transportation share of President Joe Biden’s recently approved $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan.
Work on Highway 37 can’t wait. Storm surges and high tides already create flooding issues along Highway 37, located on a sinking roadbed within salt marsh wetlands. Sea levels are estimated to rise about 11 inches by 2050, which will make matters in this, and other parts of the Bay Area, much worse.
In addition to this project, what others do you think should be done as soon as possible? Here are a few: removing dangerous street crossings along the Caltrain corridor, running more BART trains, repaving roads, creating an easier and safer connection between I-580 and I-680, removing roadside litter, building an alternative to Highway 152 east of Gilroy, building a freeway-to-freeway connection between I-680 and I-880 through Fremont.
Bay Area transportation projects will compete for some $140 billion to be distributed nationwide over the next five years. California is expected to land about $25.3 billion for highway programs and $4.2 billion for bridge replacement.
Q: Since the passage of the infrastructure bill, I wonder when work on El Camino Real will begin. Or is any of that money earmarked for El Camino? The roadway is getting worse in Mountain View/Los Altos and in Palo Alto. Or do we need to wait another two to three years for the roadway to be totally repaired?
Thomas Gazdayka, Mountain View
A: Stay tuned. This might happen in another year or so.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow, or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.