A Press Democrat Blog

Road Warrior

Trying to make sense out of getting around

Mailbag: Santa Rosa’s parking surveillance SUV; travel time signs

Friday, at 5:40 by

Questions from Road Warrior readers: Santa Rosa’s parking surveillance SUV What is that police car that drivers around and has all the cameras and surveillance equipment on it and has Parking Enforcement on its sides. Are we supposed to believe that vehicle patrols parking spaces? Just curious. Kurt You’re referring to the white Ford Escape hybrid that Santa Rosa started using about two years ago to look for parking violators. It cost $64,957 and is equipped with four cameras, two… Read More »

Mailbag: Flooding on Highway 101, certifying radar use

Friday, at 4:08 by

Here’s a question from a Road Warrior reader: I have been driving Highway 101 from 37 to SF every day for several years (over 15). During this period, I had taken into account various areas of water flooding, such as the Corte Madera dip. The “dip” was the only major area that was concerning. Recently, there has been a major re-asphalting project for Highway 101, which works great in dry weather. However, during recent rains I have noticed that there… 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 »

Mailbag: How many tickets to bicyclists, passing on the right shoulder of 101

Friday, at 10:20 by

Here’s a question from a Road Warrior reader: With all of the focus and conversation on the bicycle vs. cars issues, are there any statistics on the number of citations issued to bicyclists in the county? I know some jurisdictions have random “maximum enforcement” events regarding bicycle riding infractions. I’m more interested in getting a feel of the average, not necessarily the random spike. My “feeling” is that if say a bicyclist is observed blowing through a stop sign with… 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 »

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 »

Mailbag: Caltrans likes reader’s idea

Friday, at 8:03 by

Here’s a question from a reader: Is it possible for Caltrans to temporarily put one of the lit signs up in the median or somewhere noticeable at the beginning of both north and southbound reduced-speed areas in Novato on Highway 101? The signs are very hard to notice, which makes most people either forget or not be aware of the 55-mph construction speed. Therefore they are constantly tailgating because they aren’t aware the person in front of them is trying… Read More »

Mailbag: Missing lane markings on Pepper Road; Highway 101 work in Novato

Friday, at 9:01 by

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… Read More »

Mailbag: Can CHP sit, wait in the dark along 101?

Friday, at 5:54 by

Here’s a question from a Road Warrior reader: I have a question about the California Highway Patrol. I drive at night on southbound 101 from Santa Rosa to Novato and I’m curious about the rules for CHP sitting in the dark on the side of the road with no visible lights on. Sometimes the CHP car seems to be hiding behind a portion of K-rail about a quarter of a mile before the Pepper Road on ramp to 101 south… Read More »

Hwy. 101 changes planned near Sonoma-Marin line

Wednesday, at 11:01 by

Caltrans this month took a step closer to reshaping Highway 101 between the Sonoma-Marin County line south toward Novato. The state Transportation Commission approved $1.492 million to complete design work for a redesigned interchange at the Redwood Landfill just north of Novato and $400,000 to finish designing a realignment a curve along 101 near San Antonio Creek. Caltrans spokesman Robert Haus said that as part of the landfill interchange project, which is scheduled to start next summer, frontage roads with… Read More »