Q: Why are purple rectangular ovals etched and painted on seemingly random parts of the brand new heart barrier on Freeway 101 in San Mateo County?
Adam Geller, San Mateo
A: The purple ovals characterize laptop punch playing cards, impressed by the historical past of computing and innovation in Silicon Valley.
They're a part of a rising pattern within the area to attempt to enhance the looks of ugly concrete soundwalls. When the 85-101 interchange opened in Mountain View, a design that includes egrets was added on a soundwall close to Shoreline Boulevard. There are extra.
When the Caldecott Tunnel fourth bore opened, it featured six concrete architectural medallions of native landmarks, together with Mount Diablo and wild deer. There are 96 oak leaves painted on a soundwall on Interstate 680 in Danville. A portray of sailboats adorns partitions north of the Carquinez Bridge.
Q: As everyone knows, the brand new Freeway 101 specific lanes have simply opened. Let’s assessment what occurred. Had been any new lanes added? No. What occurred is that, as soon as once more, the moneyed elite discovered a manner to purchase themselves out of an issue. Will an additional $10 or $20 a day trouble somebody making $250,000?
Jim Maples, Palo Alto
A: I see your level. And it will likely be simpler for folks with excessive incomes to bear the toll lane charges. Most drivers who use the toll lane achieve this solely when they should, for a sooner commute on a given day.
Q: Visitors on Interstate 280 will now improve with the opening of toll lanes on 101.
George Badger
A: Possibly. Possibly not. We have to examine again in just a few weeks to see what impression the 101 specific lanes have had on driver habits, and visitors patterns.
Q: Each day once I’m driving in San Jose, I see somebody on a motorbike coming at me on my facet of the highway. Possibly they’re within the bike lane, possibly on the shoulder, possibly they’re driving utterly in my lane.
Then there are those that journey their bikes on the sidewalk. They might endanger folks strolling, pushing a stroller, or jogging. We all know the police received’t cease somebody driving their bike on the unsuitable facet of the highway. They received’t even take the time to make use of the PA system on their patrol vehicles.
I suggest that anybody who owns a bicycle register it, pay a (small) yearly fee and purchase legal responsibility insurance coverage! I’m positive in the event you publish this, it’ll set off a firestorm with the biking group.
Louis S., San Jose
A: Your factors are well-made. Bicyclists must journey safely, the identical as another individual on the highway. Would a small registration fee make a distinction? I anticipate not.
Search for Gary Richards at Fb.com/mr.roadshow, or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.