A Press Democrat Blog

Road Warrior

Trying to make sense out of getting around

Soundoff: Stop clogging Hwy. 37, where’s the backup, and please don’t stop

Monday, at 5:28 by

Readers have a lot on their minds this week, perhaps because summer vacation is in full swing and those of us working rather than vacationing are feeling the worse for wear. Here’s what three commuters have on their minds. Stop clogging my Highway 37 I just recently started commuting to Sonoma and let me tell you that all of you folks using Hwy 37 as a bypass are making my life a living hell. I can’t tell you how infuriating… Read More »

Chime in, Hwy. 37 commuters

Wednesday, at 5:42 by

Greg is considering a big move and wants to know how bad the morning traffic is on Highway 37 between American Canyon and Novato. Read his letter below and then tell us what you know. The question: i currently live in novato and work in san rafael, however my family and i are considering a home ‘upgrade’ to american canyon. i currently work off hours but my oldest daughter starts kindergarten this fall in novato. how is the morning commute?… Read More »

Highway 12 closed at night in Napa County

Monday, at 3:24 by

Highway 12 through Jameson Canyon  in Napa County will be closed at night this week  to allow construction crews to do drainage/culvert work as part of widening the road. The highway will be closed 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday from Highway 29 and Red Top Road, weather permitting. Drivers should use Highway 37 instead of 12 to get to and from Interstate 80. The about $115 million Highway 12 project will widen the road to four lanes… Read More »

Sound Off: Caltrans sign likely cause of Highway 37 backup

Friday, at 7:30 by

Here’s a reader’s comment about Highway 37 traffic with an idea on why it’s become so bad: Your article on the unusual traffic backups on Hwy 37 struck a real cord with me, particularly the comment from a reader who said they only really started happening some four or five months ago.  It’s strange Caltrans couldn’t come up with any better reason for the traffic than to say it was peak tourism season and there were two missing “left lane… Read More »

Mailbag: Why is Highway 37 so congested now?

Friday, at 8:39 by

Here’s a question from a reader: I drive back and forth on Highway 37 every day because I work in Novato.  It seems like the traffic in the afternoons has been horrendous for the last 2-3 months.  It doesn’t matter which day of the week but the backup often extends beyond the Petaluma River and even sometimes it will backup close to 101.  Even more shocking is that it is summer time and kids aren’t even in school so one… Read More »

Weekend traffic alert

Friday, at 11:45 by

Here’s a couple of weekend events that could affect traffic: –The Gopro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma starts Friday and goes through Sunday at the Sears Point racetrack. The CHP doesn’t expect much of a problem on Friday and Saturday, but Napa Officer Jake Ramos warns congestion is expected on Highway 37 Sunday morning before the race starts and Sunday afternoon after it ends. Ramos says the CHP will have extra officers helping ease traffic pains on Saturday and Sunday,… Read More »

NB carpool lane now longer in Novato

Thursday, at 2:12 by

Caltrans on Thursday opened the new northbound carpool lane on Highway 101 in Novato. The new lane runs from Highway 37 to Atherton Avenue. Last month, Caltrans opened a new segment of the southbound carpool lane in about the same area of Novato. Construction of  both segments of the carpool lane, which are the fourth lane in each direction, cost a total of $49.3 million and took about a year to do. Marin County’s carpool-lane hours are 6:30 to 8:30… Read More »

Extended carpool lanes opening in Marin

Wednesday, at 6:00 by

Caltrans this week opened a new southbound carpool lane on Highway 101 in Novato and in a couple of weeks plans to open a northbound carpool lane there. Both are signs that the widening of  101 from northern Marin County to northern Petaluma is inching along, although closing the carpool gap will take years to finish. The new southbound lane runs from Novato Creek to Highway 37. The northbound lane is to open Aug. 9 from Highway 37 to Atherton… Read More »

NASCAR roars in, so avoid traffic mess on Highway 37 this weekend

Thursday, at 10:56 by

Here’s a tip that will save you plenty of time and frustration this weekend: Avoid the Sears Point area, particularly Highways 37 and 121. NASCAR is rolling  in at Sears Point for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, and the race is expected to draw about 100,000 fans for Sunday’s race. But many arrive early for Friday and Saturday’s practice and qualifying runs. CHP Officer Jon Sloat of the Sonoma County office said fans start arriving Friday afternoon with their RVs, adding… Read More »

Traffic delays on Lakeville Highway again

Thursday, at 10:22 by

Crews today are to resume cutting and trimming eucalyptus trees along Lakeville Highway, likely causing some traffic delays  between Petaluma and Highway 37. One-way traffic control will be in effect from about Old Lakeville Road 2 to Old Lakeville Road 3, reported Rob Silva, roads division manager of the Sonoma County Department of Transportation and Public Works. The work is scheduled to be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Tuesday, weather permitting, with no work on the weekend. Crews started… Read More »