Imagining a Disneyland-style monorail for the Santa Cruz Mountains: Roadshow
Q: I still envision a Disneyland-like elevated monorail through the Santa Cruz Mountains from wherever the most parking is available, or a light rail station, like in Los Gatos or Campbell, right off 17, to Santa Cruz Boardwalk parking lots. Great for commuters and day trippers. Stations at Scotts Valley and maybe near the summit, too. What a beautiful ride among the trees.
M. Lahann
A: I can imagine taking a beautiful ride such as you describe through the Santa Cruz Mountains. And it’s fun to dream. When various light rail ideas have been looked at before, though not this route, and not monorail, there were not enough projected riders in off-peak hours to warrant the cost of the projects.
Q: I see signs on Interstate 680 about lanes being closed soon. What are they doing?
Anonymous
A: Caltrans will close southbound Interstate 680 in Pleasanton between Sunol Boulevard and Koopman Road from 10 p.m, Friday, June 9 until 4 a.m., Monday, June 12.
The closure is being done so that a portion of the existing deteriorated roadway can be replaced with new pavement on southbound 680 between Sunol Boulevard and Koopman Road. The weekend closure will reduce the number of nightly closures needed on the project.
Northbound 680 will remain open.
Q: I lane split on my daily commute on freeways at various speeds, but never do it without a 99% certainty that the vehicles know I’m there. I will split two vehicles side by side, knowing that they know each other is there. The worst case is that I have to back out of a squeeze situation. I don’t pass a vehicle that’s moved over to the left if that means I might be accelerating into a potential situation of another vehicle further ahead that feels it’s safe to change lanes.
I lane split but ride very defensively. I don’t assume the vehicles ahead of me are locked in step with each other or are like stationary cones that I simply have to navigate through. While I ride like that along with many others, unfortunately, there are some who simply don’t care, don’t think about, or don’t understand the consequences of a collision. Regardless of fault, the motorcyclist is always going to come off worse, and that’s why I ride the way I do.
Lewis W.
A: You are a smart motorcyclist to be observant, thinking ahead, and helping to keep yourself and others safe.
Q: One other thing to add for seniors [and anyone] getting their license is that the DMV has 4 sample tests on their website. These can make you more comfortable taking the test. I have found questions from samples on actual tests.
A: A helpful suggestion.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.