This month saw the completion of a long-awaited piece of the
U.S. 101 improvement puzzle
– the completion of carpool ramps from 101 to Highway 85. These
ramps mean that South Valley commuters headed to 85 will no longer
have to veer across several lanes of traffic to get from carpool
lanes to the freeway on-ramp.
This month saw the completion of a long-awaited piece of the U.S. 101 improvement puzzle – the completion of carpool ramps from 101 to Highway 85. These ramps mean that South Valley commuters headed to 85 will no longer have to veer across several lanes of traffic to get from carpool lanes to the freeway on-ramp.
The $66.8 million project is one of many Measure B success stories. Another that’s helped South Valley tremendously was the widening of U.S. 101 between Metcalf and Bernal roads from four to eight lanes. We congratulate everyone involved, including:
n Voters, who in 1996 approved the half-cent sales tax that funded this and more than a dozen other highway projects;
n County supervisors – particularly Supervisor Don Gage – who monitored spending and the project list to fairly maximize benefits for South Valley citizens;
n Valley Transportation Authority officials, who created incentives for contractors to finish their projects in a high-quality manner, yet still on time and under budget.
It’s a system that has worked well to help keep many of the lofty promises made by Measure B. We encourage other state and local agencies to take a look at this model, especially as frustration with Caltrans delays and cost overruns on highway projects mounts.
It hasn’t been perfect, to be sure: rising land costs, a long, expensive and ultimately unsuccessful lawsuit challenging Measure B’s legality and other factors have led to the delay or scuttling of some of Measure B’s promised projects.
One of those, expanded Caltrain service to South Valley, is particularly shortsighted.
But on the whole, we’ve been pleasantly surprised with the pace and price of Measure B’s projects.
“Thanks to the Valley Transportation Authority and the county for delivering another project, completed within this year’s budget, and thanks to Santa Clara County voters for approving the significant funding,” Supervisor Gage said.
We echo his sentiments. The improvements to Highway 101 and the carpool lane connector ramps have already greatly improved the quality of life and safety of South Valley residents, and those who commute through our neck of the woods.
Congratulations to all on a job well done.
