Caltrans has a problem. The Fed’s provide partial funding on our interstate roads and mandate a minimum speed of 45 mph on HOV lanes. Try going that fast at the Orange Crush at 5 p.m.
So how do we solve this dilemma? I have been on a road in northern CA where car pool lanes require three per car so this “trial balloon” we currently read about can happen quicker than you might anticipate.
One proposal is to change our freeways into “toll roads” to speed up traffic. Nice, we punish those who can’t afford the toll by forcing them to sit in gridlock along with single occupant cars while the SUV’s with the whole family on its way to the mall go whizzing by in a diamond lane.
Eleven years ago I wrote to former governor Pete Wilson asking for consistency in our state highways. Specifically why roads with diamond lanes in northern CA have limited restrictions from Monday thru Friday while the same roads in southern CA are restricted 24/7. Since the initial response from a District Director, filled with excuses, I have had numerous contacts with DOT, Caltrans, elected officials and UC Berkley which has conducted a few surveys in line with my request.
When you sit in a car pool lane and watch cars passing you by in the traditional lanes you know the system is broken.
I hope that in my lifetime we will come to our senses and go back to the original purpose of the car pool lane. To take cars off the road while people car pool to the office. Period.
Any suggestions you can provide will surely be appreciated. Further, I will run them up the flagpole to the appropriate staff in SAC.
Email response:
Raise the price of gas by $1 and force people to walk. Not!