Question: I’m sure this subject has surfaced before. Why have there been no improvements to the Baker, Hearn and Todd 101 overpasses? It seems strange that these major bottlenecks have not been improved as part of the 101 improvements. Hearn is the worst where cars are backed up onto the frwy trying to make the crossover. Regards, Lee, Santa Rosa

Answer: The quick answer is it’s years away. Details follow.

James Cameron, supervising engineer with Santa Rosa’s Public Works Department, said “the Hearn Avenue interchange is the highest priority for the city” and it’s being worked on in three phases.

The first phase involves widening Santa Rosa Avenue from Yolanda Avenue to Kawana Springs Road. Cameron said some utility relocation work is being done now and actual widening work will begin in about two weeks. Part of the $7.1 million Phase One involves putting a northbound right turn lane from Santa Rosa Avenue to Kawana Springs where a used car dealer used to be at that corner. Phase One is expected to be finished in 2012.

The second phase, which already is under way, involves widening Hearn Avenue to two lanes in each direction from Dutton Avenue to Dowd Drive. That $1.6 million project is due to be finished by year’s end.

Phase Three is replacing the Hearn overpass at an estimated cost of $32 million. However, Cameron said, that phase is not expected to be finished before 2020 and “requires extensive coordination with Caltrans.”

As for the other overpasses, no money was available during the Highway 101 widening and no funding is in sight now, although Cameron said there is “some hope.”