It’s already Wednesday, meaning the Red Phone has been at it
again, seeking, searching and solving the questions and comments
brought by our readers. Need to sound off on life in the SBC? Call
the Red Phone. The Crimson Crusader is waiting to hear from you
– always listening, always online, always available at
635-9219.
It’s already Wednesday, meaning the Red Phone has been at it again, seeking, searching and solving the questions and comments brought by our readers. Need to sound off on life in the SBC? Call the Red Phone. The Crimson Crusader is waiting to hear from you – always listening, always online, always available at 635-9219.
Continued construction woes
The Red Phone is back with more answers to the construction queries from a caller last week. He had complained about the lengthy beautification project along San Benito Street.
“No, there’s absolutely no end in sight. The streets will be torn up for ever,” Hollister Interim Development Director Bill Avera joked. Obviously, he’s heard his share of recent complaints. Anyway, Avera said the project should be wrapped by the end of September. The majority of the sidewalk work will be over in another two weeks and end the lane closures backing up traffic during commute time on San Benito Street. A street repaving project will end this week. And, the last two weeks of September will be spent tying up loose ends, turning on the new street lights, and finishing the other intricacies of the project.
“We’re getting close, a few more weeks at the most,” Avera said.
We’ll see. Red Phone is watching.
Another bump in the road
Highway 25 is back on the Red Phone radar after a caller reported more bumps on the recently paved road.
“About the two railroad tracks on 25 on the Santa Clara side, my teeth are starting to hurt, let alone the front and rear suspension of my car. Are we waiting for a train to derail before we fix these tracks?”
In past columns, Red Phone had investigated the bumpy road and bouncy tracks. A Caltrans officials had said the bumps would be smoother after a repaving and road widening project. The project was completed earlier this summer, yet, apparently the rail road bumps still remain a nuisance. Red Phone called Caltrans District Public Relations Officer Brigetta Smith about troublesome tracks. She said Caltrans has no authority to work on the tracks.
“We don’t bother the railroad tracks,” she said. “You’ll have to talk to them.”
So Red Phone called John Bromley, director of public affairs in California for Union Pacific Railroad. He said he was unaware of any safety hazards on the track or plans to mitigate its bumpy transition, but would check into the issue and return with more information.
“I’ll look into this and get back to you,” he said, and Red Phone will get back to its readers when he does.
The Red Phone publishes your comments on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Let us know what bugs you and we’ll put the crimson crusader to work. Call the Red Phone at 635-9219.
