Of tunnels, lights and cell phones

Oakland Tribune, Dec 9, 2008 by Anonymous

Commuter: I live in Oakland and was surprised to notice that upon heading toward the tunnel on eastbound Highway 24 about 7:45 p.m. Saturday evening, the two left lanes were closed (i.e., only one tunnel bore was open). I didn't notice any activity from Caltrans or police so I thought it to be odd considering the westbound commuters (who usually bottleneck at the tunnel as they head toward Oakland/ SF due to two lanes and a bore being closed) were cruising -- all four lanes were open in that direction. Any reason as to why the lane closures were 'swapped?'

Andrew Pierce, Oakland

Queen: Well, first of all, Andrew, you are right on the money with your first observation. Caltrans usually closes one bore to westbound traffic at around 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday to accommodate the vast amount of eastbound traffic streaming back to CoCo County from San Francisco and other cities.

The weekends are different because traffic flows differently then. The bore closures vary depending on things like sporting events at the Oakland Coliseum or in San Francisco that may draw large amounts of traffic going westbound through the tunnel. So that's probably what was going on.

Commuter: Given your wealth of contacts, maybe you can find out why the lighted street name signs on the traffic signal mast arms along the Treat Boulevard corridor in the Pleasant Hill BART station are no longer illuminated at night. When they were originally installed they were on. When the City of Walnut Creek took over signal maintenance for the signals and lighting they were on. For about the last two years they are no longer turned on at night. Yet all the signs at all the other signals in the station area are turned on.

Lyle B.,

cyberspace

Queen: Lyle B., the Queen contacted Rafat Raie, traffic engineer for the City of Walnut Creek. He confirmed that the city is responsible for the lights, and immediately promised to see to it that they are fixed.

"We can take care of this almost right away," Raie said. So, Lyle, let the Queen know if it doesn't happen.

Commuter: People complain about the amount of the cell-phone fines. I feel the fine amounts should be increased greatly. I encounter many people still on the phone while driving, especially women in fancy sport utility vehicles and guys in fancy company- type cars. They do not seem to care who they are affecting or the dangerous situations they are creating.

Tom Watt, Hercules

Queen: As most of us know, on July 1 hands-free cell phones became the law in California. The base fine for the first offense is $20, although fees and penalties can push it higher. Gentle readers, do you agree with Tom? Do you think the fines should be even higher?

Write the Queen at The Commuter Page, c/o The Times, P.O. Box 8099, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, or ccncommuter@bayareanewsgroup.com. Visit her at ContraCostaTimes.com/queenoftheroad.