Here’s a question from a reader:

Take a drive down Pepper Road.  The markings have almost disappeared.  It’s flat out dangerous now at night, and in a storm it’s horrible.  I’m seeing that the roads aren’t being re-striped regularly now.  101 is a mess even after the construction.  I wish they’d at least re-stripe the lanes there as well.  With the uneven pavement, it’s really hard to tell if you’re in your lane.  Russ

The answer on Pepper Road comes from Rob Silva, road department operations manager of the Sonoma County Department of Transportation and Public Works:

I can refer this request to our Traffic Department for consideration in any upcoming striping contracts. We no longer have a striping crew or striping equipment within our department. The old striping truck we had simply wore out, and replacing it would have cost over a half million dollars. All this came about at the initial time of budget cuts about three years ago, so a decision was made to contract out all striping work. I know that roads are currently being evaluated for contracts that would be put out to bid in the spring for striping next summer – the work generally needs to be done in the dry season. I will ask that Pepper Road be considered as well.

The answer on 101 comes from Caltrans, and it says  final paving and lane markings are expected to be done this spring from north Petaluma to central Rohnert Park.

Here’s another question:

I noticed the new center median under construction in Novato has cement then steel girders. Why steel girders?  Litter piles up under the steel with weeds coming soon after that never get maintained. Cement is stronger and keeps the highway cleaner. Michael

The answer comes from Caltrans spokesman Steve A. Williams:

For a rainstorm predicted to occur once every 100 years, the storm water flow may exceed the level of the highway (no greater than 1 foot of water) on a short portion of the roadway just south of Rowland Avenue. If concrete barrier were  placed at this location, it would act as a dam and by using thrie beam barrier it will allow storm waters to equalize and still provide protection from median crossover accidents. Additionally, openings in concrete barriers are designed for roadway runoff and cannot accommodate the magnitude of flows typically associated with overtopping of creeks during 100-year storms.

Please note that that  metal thrie-beam barrier on wood posts is being installed in the median north of Novato Creek.  This is temporary and will be replaced by a concrete barrier when the southbound HOV lane is built.  A follow-up project is awaiting funding to complete the widening through Novato in the southbound direction.

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If you have a question for the Road Warrior, please email it to jim.fremgen@pressdemocrat.com.

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