A Press Democrat Blog

Road Warrior

Trying to make sense out of getting around

Mailbag: Why cable barriers on Hwy. 101 in Ukiah?

Friday, at 9:00 by

Here’s a question from a Road Warrior reader: Do you know why they are putting all the work into making a barrier in the median strip of Highway 101 in Ukiah? There is much more traffic south of Cloverdale and with less space between north and southbound lanes there is no barrier. I can’t figure out a reason they need a barrier, and I’ve been trying for weeks now. Heard anything? Karen Here’s an answer from Caltrans District 1 spokesman… Read More »

Caltrans work on Hwy. 101

Wednesday, at 10:55 by

Caltrans is replacing slabs of Highway 101 between Healdsburg and Cloverdale, so drivers may encounter some traffic slowing. Spokesman Robert Haus said the concrete repairs are being done 24/7 and will continue for three to four more weeks, although no work will be done next week because of Thanksgiving. A Road Warrior reader reported that Tuesday night four miles of northbound 101 was reduced to one lane south of Cloverdale as crews cut out sections of the road. ————- Follow… Read More »

Anti-DUI task force gets $300,000

Thursday, at 5:18 by

Sonoma County’s anti-DUI campaign will continue after the state awarded a $300,000 grant for the Avoid the 13 task force. The task force, which includes all police agencies in the county and is coordinated by Petaluma police, had a three-year grant of $659,000 that ended Sept. 30. The money pays for various anti-DUI operations, such as checkpoints and saturation patrols, and covers the overtime of officers participating in the operations. Petaluma Sgt. Ken Savano, who is in his fourth year… Read More »

Mailbag: Drug crackdown on Hwy. 101

Friday, at 9:00 by

We’ve received a few emails lately from readers asking why they’re seeing Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Petaluma police stopping motorists along Highway 101 from Windsor north of Cloverdale. For example, JD wrote in: “I am a courier for a pharmacy and have seen Santa Rosa police squad cars pulling vehicles over the past few weeks on 101 well north of Santa Rosa. Would you have any insight as to why they are that far away from Santa Rosa? Are… Read More »

Bay Area annual pothole report

Wednesday, at 11:36 by

Roads maintained by Sonoma County no longer are the worst in the Bay Area — they’re second worse. In its annual pothole report, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission reported today that the county roads last year had a pavement condition index of 45, which is rated as poor. But that’s one point higher than the rating of 44 that the county received in 2006, 2007 and 2008 — all years in which it ranked at the bottom of MTC’s list. The… Read More »

Tickets plunge in Cotati, Rohnert Park, jump in Windsor

Tuesday, at 5:53 by

The number of traffic tickets issued last year by police in Cotati and Rohnert Park dropped by more than half while the number in Windsor soared, according to Sonoma County traffic court records. A total of 80,395 tickets in 2010 were filed for processing with the court, up from 77,351 in 2009. The tickets were from all local police agencies, from the CHP to state Fish and Game to park departments, and covered all types of traffic violations. The CHP… Read More »

Mailbag: Can you ride your bike on 101?

Tuesday, at 7:44 by

Here’s a question from a reader with an answer from the CHP: QUESTION: As you likely know, a sinkhole on Asti Road between Zanzi Lane and Old Post Office Road has closed the road for the foreseeable future. I discovered this while cycling south from Cloverdale on Asti toward Geyserville, trying to get back home to Healdsburg. This road happens to be a major artery for cyclists riding from Santa Rosa area and returning to it. A large sign reads:… Read More »

Windsor-Cloverdale delays on Hwy. 101

Tuesday, at 5:23 by

Traffic delays on Highway 101 are likely for the rest of the week between downtown Windsor and Cloverdale as construction crews replace deteriorating concrete sections of the road. Caltrans announced Tuesday that, starting Wednesday, Highway 101 will be limited to one lane in each direction at various locations from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight until Sunday during the road project. “Drivers are advised to expect some delays and to allow extra time,” the statement said.

18-day DUI crackdown starts today in Sonoma County

Friday, at 6:15 by

A major crackdown on DUI drivers starts today for 18 days across Sonoma County with extra officers looking for drunken drivers and four DUI/license checkpoints this weekend. It’s all part of the county’s Avoid the 13 DUI Task Force’s “summer mobilization” campaign, which itself is part of a nationwide DUI crackdown organized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Petaluma Police Sgt. Ken Savano, coordinator of the Avoid the 13 task force, said two DUI checkpoints will be held tonight… Read More »