This letter is in response to the July 30 weekend edition
article in regards to the supervisor being
”
dismayed
”
over the design to build a flyover bridge at Hwy 156/152 at the
so-called Don Pacheco Y.
Editor,
This letter is in response to the July 30 weekend edition article in regards to the supervisor being “dismayed” over the design to build a flyover bridge at Hwy 156/152 at the so-called Don Pacheco Y.
My first gripe is the fact that nowhere in the article was there any concern for the safety of the motoring public. How many lives were saved when the state built the bridge at Hwy 101 and Hwy 25? If I remember correctly, a person died in a left turn accident across 101 the week before it opened. Build the darn bridge now and get it over with.
My second gripe is about the “powers that be” and the “easy” solution to alleviate the problem now, with backed up traffic at the Y. My simple solution has been sent in before to the appropriate agencies, but apparently ignored. The solution until the bridge is finished is to do 1 of 2 things.
1) Make the CHP run “traffic break escorts” from 3pm to 7pm anywhere they choose along Hwy 152 east bound (at 35mph to the “Y”). Just slip into traffic and hold them back at 35mph. This will create huge traffic breaks ahead of the CHP vehicle if done properly, and the Hollister bound traffic can turn left without too much of a problem – then wait for the next break.
2) If CHP officers can’t handle this, then get the Freeway Service Patrol involved, and have two tow-rigs run traffic escorts 3pm to 7pm on the designated days. It won’t make any difference to try it, as the traffic is going to be stopped anyway. They might as well try it. (This is so easy it’s hard!)
As far as the amount of people wanting to funnel into San Benito County – wake up people! I work for PG&E in the Central Coast, and we are just keeping pace with the huge housing demands for electric and gas services. My point being: the bridge won’t cause more influx of people – they are already here and waiting! The only thing that bridge will bring is people to their destination – ALIVE – and smoother traveling for the east bound traffic. I for one am shocked CHP escorts haven’t been thought of before. I did send letters with my suggestion two years ago to Caltrans/CHP and to editors.
Tom Vance, Gilroy
