A Press Democrat Blog

Road Warrior

Trying to make sense out of getting around

Is the traffic light broken?

Thursday, at 6:08 by

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 »

Updated: Construction hot spots in Sonoma County

Monday, at 11:22 by

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 »

This week’s cone zones

Monday, at 6:50 by

Petaluma continues to dominate the Sonoma County road construction activity, with SMART and Caltrans work in addition to ongoing city projects. In Santa Rosa, work begins to replace antiquated sewer and water lines around Montgomery Village, a project that will continue through November. A complete list of Caltrans projects throughout the North Coast follows. Petaluma SMART crews will start replacing the railroad crossing at D Street at 6 a.m. Monday, April 29. The work is expected to be finished by… Read More »

A healthcare traffic jam

Friday, at 6:13 by

As Kaiser Permanente’s Santa Rosa campus grows, so do the traffic woes. It’s difficult for patients to get into and out of the campus without delay. We’re still waiting for a response from Kaiser Permanente representatives to this question from Road Warrior reader Judson, but city traffic engineers say they are well aware of the problem. My beef and concern is the way the City of Santa Rosa is working with Kaiser Hospital in managing traffic at their main hospital… Read More »

Mailbag: When do Santa Rosa (and Lake County) get upgrades?

Friday, at 6:01 by

With road work going on around the North Coast, two Road Warrior readers would like to know when it will make their lives easier. Hearn Avenue overpass As I read the Press Democrat story on the widening of the “narrows” section on Highway 101, it would be good to find out why Santa Rosa cannot find money to do the same for the two overpasses over highway 101 south of Highway 12. Both take you back to Santa Rosa Avenue, and having… Read More »

DUI checkpoint in Santa Rosa

Thursday, at 4:05 by

Santa Rosa Police Department Traffic Unit officers will conduct a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint in Santa Rosa between 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16, and 3 a.m. Sunday, March 17, according to Sgt. Mike Numainville. The location hasn’t been disclosed. Officers will be check drivers for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment and for proper licensing. Those caught driving while impaired can be jailed, have their licenses suspended and be faced with fines and fees that can exceed $10,000. “Over the course of… Read More »

Eighth Street closed by SMART construction

Monday, at 6:28 by

Watch for a nine-day closure of West Eighth Street in Santa Rosa, starting at 7 a.m. today for construction that will last until 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. Contractors will be working west of Highway 101 as part of the ongoing effort to replace grate crossings for upcoming SMART train service. “While the road is torn up, they will replace old sewage pipes for the City of Santa Rosa,” said Matt Stevens, SMART’s community relations manager. You can follow construction updates… Read More »

Piner Road intersection getting extra attention

Sunday, at 7:30 by

Santa Rosa police this coming week will monitor one of the city’s most collision-prone intersections — Piner Road at Coffey Lane, which  last year was tied for fourth with 9 collisions. As part of a weekly, Monday through Friday, special enforcement program, Officer Jeff Adams says officers particularly will be looking for drivers not wearing seat belts, who are illegally using cellphones, are speeding, running red lights or committing lane violations. Each week, the officers pick one of the city’s… Read More »

Coddingtown intersection getting extra police attention

Saturday, at 9:28 by

Santa Rosa police this coming week will monitor one of the city’s most collision-prone intersections — Cleveland Avenue at West Steele Lane, which  last year was tied for third with 10 collisions. As part of a weekly, Monday through Friday, special enforcement program, Officer Jeff Adams says officers particularly will be looking for drivers not wearing seat belts, who are illegally using cellphones, are speeding, running red lights or committing lane violations. Each week, the officers pick one of the… Read More »

What’s going on with gas prices?

Wednesday, at 2:37 by

After rocketing up an average of about 55 cents in the past month — more at some stations — gas prices in Sonoma County appear to have leveled off and may even have peaked. Analysts say the price surge was driven by the annual switch by refineries from making winter gas to more expensive-to-produce-but-cleaner summer gas and by some refineries reducing production to do maintenance. AAA reported Wednesday that the average price for regular gas in Santa Rosa was $4.169,… Read More »