‘I don’t want a ticket. When does northbound 85 carpool lane become an express lane?’ reader asks: Roadshow
Driver can't tell when carpool lane becomes express lane on Highway 85.
Q: Diamond lane signs along northbound Highway 85 are extremely confusing. I enter at Interstate 280. The signs on 85 say the lane is for 2+ passengers. Then it goes to 3+ passengers and references a toll lane. Then there is a sign that says 2+ passengers and the next one is 3+.
When does it really change to a 3+ toll lane? Toll signs don’t appear until after the overpass to the merge with Highway 101 north. Logically, it seems like it is 2+ until you go onto 101, but I don’t want to get a ticket.
Can you help sort this out for me?
— Peggy Graham
A: I checked with John-the-MTC-spokesman on your question. For those traveling northbound on 85, the express lane begins at the Moffett Boulevard exit in Mountainn View. Until a driver on northbound 85 gets to that exit, the occupancy requirement for use of the carpool lane is two or more people and no FasTrak tag is required.
Once drivers cross that point, they must have a FasTrak tag to use the express lane. To qualify for free travel, drivers must have a FasTrak Flex tag set to the 3+ position, and have at least three people in the vehicle. For a 50% discount, one must have a FasTrak Flex tag set to the 2 position and have two people in the car, or have a qualifying clean air vehicle with a Clean Air Vehicle FasTrak tag set to match the number of occupants in the car. Express lane requirements remain in effect as the driver moves onto Highway 101 in San Jose.
For more information on toll lanes, see this page on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission website: https://mtc.ca.gov/planning/transportation/driving-congestion-environment/mtc-express-lanes
Q: A HAWK light, one with flashing yellow crossing lights, is desperately needed on Winchester Boulevard and Dolores and Kenwood avenues. It is Santa Clara on the Dolores side and San Jose on the Kenwood side. Valley Village is a large senior complex on Winchester and many residents, some with walkers or wheelchairs, need to cross here for the bus stop. I’ve witnessed some close calls!
Who should I contact?
— Dianne Daly
A: Send your request to traffic.safety@sanjoseca.gov. Someone from the city’s safety section will follow up with you and review your request.
Q: I’m a longtime reader and I simply love your column. I have traveled on Almaden Expressway North in San Jose for years. The timing of the signal at Branham Lane changed recently and only a few cars go on each green. This creates horrendous backups.
Why was this changed?
— Helen Shetty, San Jose
A: I’m trying to get information on this change. In the meantime, try entering a County of Santa Clara Roads and Airports Department service request on this page: https://santaclara.maintstar.co/portal/#/default-1/myRequests. Ask that they check the light timing.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.