Q: You had inquiries a few weeks ago about plans to pave Interstate 880 north through Fremont. This stretch of road is a crumbling mess that has cost me two cracked windshields. Who is paying for this latest work?
This stretch was paved little more than three years ago and almost immediately started falling apart, opening up ruts and potholes, and leaving pebbles and chunks of roadway. It was clearly a shoddy job. So, who pays?
Let me guess: The original contractor recognizes the poor job done and is paying for it out of their own pocket, at no cost to the public, right? Uh … yeah … probably not.
— Tim Riener, Fremont
A: Janis-the-Alameda-County-Caltrans-spokesperson said they have fixed potholes on an emergency basis here. As you noted, the project to fix this part of I-880 will be done next year.
Caltrans is fixing potholes now at spot locations on I-880 from Nov. 29 through Dec. 15. The work requires overnight closures on both northbound and southbound lanes between Dixon Landing in Milpitas and Alvarado Boulevard in Fremont. Depending on weather, lane closures begin around 8:30 p.m., and reopen at 5 a.m. the next day.
Caltrans encourages that problems like potholes, water on the freeway, litter and graffiti be reported in a customer service request at https://csr.dot.ca.gov/. The system generates a tracking number and sends it to the person who submitted it.
All of that information does not answer your question, “Who pays now?” With the extreme weather that we’ve seen, and more in years ahead, I continue to wonder what road surfaces will be able to handle drenching winters like our last one, and heat domes like we’ve experienced in recent years.
Q: Early next year, I’ll need to take the written driver’s test for 70 and over drivers, plus the written test to get a motorcycle certification. Does the DMV revise the tests and booklets every year to reflect the latest changes in the law? I have a 2023 edition of the driver’s booklet that the local AAA office has in stock,
How do I get the latest and greatest motorcycle rider’s booklet? AAA does not carry them and says they cannot order one for me. The local DMV office didn’t have them, either.
And FYI, a request to correct a traffic light problem sent directly to the Mountain View city folks WORKED, so no need to ask you for help on that one.
— David Russel, Mountain View
A: Great to hear that Mountain View was responsive. DMV-wise, see changes in laws here: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/new-2023-laws/. The DMV website has the latest handbooks online and as downloadable PDFs. Here’s DMV information for motorcyclists: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/special-interest-driver-guides/motorcyclists-guide/.
See this page to prepare for renewing 70 and over licenses: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/senior-drivers/.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at [email protected].