A Press Democrat Blog

Road Warrior

Trying to make sense out of getting around

Big changes coming on Highway 101

Sunday, at 3:39 by

The widening of Highway 101 is about to take some big leaps forward. –This week, weather permitting, Caltrans says, construction crews will begin the final paving of 101 from Rohnert Park Expressway to Petaluma Boulevard North, doing the work overnight to limit traffic delays. Northbound work is scheduled for 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., while southbound is 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., ending an hour earlier to get out of the way of commuters. At some point the paving will… Read More »

Mailbag: Can you use carpool lane to get around an accident? And more…

Friday, at 6:00 by

Here’s a question from a reader: If there is an accident in the “slow” lane during commute hours, can you use the carpool lane to avoid the accident? Can the CHP ticket you for this? This scenario recently happened on the Cotati Grade, it was a major accident. Sue The answer comes from CHP Officer Jon Sloat, spokesman for the Sonoma County office: You can use the carpool lane if directed by a few ways: An officer at the scene,… Read More »

Cotati Grade: Sonoma County’s new speedway

Wednesday, at 7:48 by

At times, it seems I’m the only one going 55 on the Cotati Grade. You too? With the opening late last year of the third north and southbound lanes on Highway 101 between Petaluma Boulevard North and Rohnert Park Expressway, many drivers have turned the stretch into a speedway, often far exceeding the 55-mph speed limit. As I cruise in the slow lane doing 55 or so, I’ve been passed by a variety of trucks and cars, from clunkers to… Read More »

More Hwy. 101 widening approved

Friday, at 6:00 by

More construction and car-pool lanes are headed our way. As Staff Writer Brett Wilkison reports, the state Transportation Commission this week approved $22.8 million to widen Highway 101 from Pepper Road at the bottom of the Cotati Grade to just south of Old Redwood Highway in Petaluma. Work on the 1.5-mile stretch is to begin this fall with completion expected late next year. So we have more K-rails in our future. Click here for the rest of the story

Another stretch of 101 to get wider

Thursday, at 7:36 by

Get ready for more construction work along Highway 101. Monday (April 26) is ground breaking ceremony for the widening of 101 from Rohnert Park Expressway south to Pepper Road in Cotati. The addition of a car pool lane in each direction will be great for those who every day must battle the traffic over the Cotati Grade, but it’ll be a pain during construction. Already dozens of K-rails have popped up along 101 at the bridges and overpasses along that… Read More »