Radar guns, stop signs and photo opps too good to pass up. Those of us who spend lots of time in our cars tend to think a lot, which may be why we have so many questions. Read on for two Highway 101 head-scratchers and something that will make you go smile. Question: What’s up with CHP officers standing beside their cars and pointing radar at oncoming traffic? How do they catch a speeder that way? — Maria Answer: The radar units… Read More »
Just in time for the big Memorial Day weekend, the Odd Fellow Summer Crossing at Korbel was opened Thursday afternoon, allowing motorists to cross the Russian River just east of Guerneville. The alert comes from Rob Silva, Sonoma County’s road department operations manager.
No commuter ever enjoys stopping for red lights, but sitting through several light cycles or being stopped for no apparent reason can really get the blood boiling. Two readers asked about locations that bring lots of mail: Santa Rosa Avenue at Hearn Avenue, and Fountaingrove Parkway. Santa Rosa Traffic Engineer Rob Sprinkle provides the explanations. Question: What’s up with the lights at the Santa Rosa Avenue and Hearn overpass around 4 to 5 in the afternoon? I’ve seen it where… Read More »
When cross traffic is heavy, frustrated motorists sometimes take matters into their own hands, nosing their way into the flow any way they can. But is it legal? That’s what Road Warrior reader Ralph wanted to know. Question: I see people turning right from Merced Avenue onto Highway 12, eastbound, and using the shoulder as if it was a merging lane on the freeway. Is this legal? It seems dangerous and just plain stupid. Same with using the suicide lanes as… Read More »
When is it legal (and safe) to make a U-turn? Road Warrior reader Janelle would like to know. She confronts the issue every night on her way home from work. Santa Rosa experts advise her that the motorists who annoy her are in the right, but only if they turn safely. Question: I work next to Medtronic on Round Barn Blvd. (off Fountaingrove) and everyday multiple cars flip a U turn where there is a break in the center divider.… Read More »
Updated to include details about the sewer replacement work at Montgomery Drive and Farmers Lane in Santa Rosa. Life slows down in Sonoma County after the weekend excitement of the bicycle race and Rose Parade in Santa Rosa, and American Graffiti cruise in Petaluma. Similarly, road projects continue with little change, a lull before the June 3 start of another Highway 101 improvement project north of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa police identify their targeted intersection of the week, and Rob… Read More »
Santa Rosa will be swarming with bicycles this weekend as the Amgen Tour of California rolls into town, so this reader question about bicycle safety arrived just in time. The question: In the “California’s Rules of the Road” bicyclists are to follow the same rules of the road as motor vehicles. I understand some communities allow bicycles on sidewalks, but does the law allow them the right-of- way in the crosswalks as well? Many near misses have occurred as a… Read More »
Whose responsibility is it to maintain the landscaping around highway parcels? Sometimes it’s hard to tell. Steve Mosher wrote in to ask about a lot near the Airport Boulevard freeway exchange that was so full of weeds he could barely walk past them on the sidewalk. He said last year mowing crews never visited the parcel, which runs from the Chevron Station to the U.S. 101 southbound on ramp. “This year nothing except for the trees they cut down nearby,”… Read More »
Reader Lisa Davis wrote in this morning about an unsual tie-up on Highway 116 west of Monte Rio. She was stuck in traffic because a car commercial was being filmed. She described the scene as “A LOT of car carrier trailers, new cars with car covers, cameras, CHP stopping traffic. Expect delays here, out to the coast.” Guerneville Towns Correspondent Stephen Gross was on the road this morning and had this to say about 11:15 a.m.: “Yes it is true.… Read More »
Two little questions about things spotted along U.S. 101, and a suggestion about how to ease the pain as construction projects collide in Petaluma. What’s up with the sign? The question: What is with the electronic sign in Rohnert Park on NB 101 that states to turn Radio to 840 AM? It was on for a week, no message is on 840 AM. The answer: Caltrans’ electricians were testing the sign. In the future Caltrans will use the Highway Advisory Radio for construction… Read More »
