The Metropolitan Transportation Commission which operates the 511 service has added a new feature “511 Freeway Aid” that allows drivers to use their wireless phones to summon non-emergency roadside assistance on any freeway in the nine-county region.

A motorist in a non-emergency situation (out of gas, flat tire or mechanical problems) can dial 5-1-1 on their wireless phone (you may be charged airtime by your wireless service provider). At the main menu, the caller says “Freeway Aid” and the voice-recognition system will transfer the call to the privately operated call center that now handles incoming calls from the roadside call boxes.

Freeway Service Patrol tow trucks, which provide their services free of charge, will be dispatched to respond to 511 Freeway Aid calls during peak periods on the Bay Area’s busiest routes. Towing companies that operate on rotations under contract with Caltrans and the CHP will be dispatched at other times and will charge motorists for their services. You may wish to inquirer if there will be a charge.

If you are on a toll bridge or in a tunnel, the information will be sent immediately to Caltrans and/or the CHP.

You will no longer have to hike to one of those roadside call boxes.

The MTC nine-county regions: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma.

“511 is a free phone and Web service that consolidates Bay Area transportation information into a one-stop resource. 511 provides up-to-the-minute information on traffic conditions, incidents and driving times, schedule, route and fare information for the Bay Area’s public transportation services, instant carpool and vanpool referrals, bicycling information and more. It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

To the runners preparing for the Rock ‘N’ Roll Half-Marathon this Saturday, Oct. 5: Good luck!

To the motorists planning on driving through the city this weekend: Good luck! You will meet plenty of road closures, clogged freeway exits and a lot of athletic-type people running around. They get their exercise while you continue to pollute, which makes these traffic headaches even more guilt-inducing.

But never fear! Here’s a map to help you avoid running over those athletic-types with your SUV (click to enlarge, and notice I said AVOID):

And here’s more traffic information I got via the marathon’s Web site:

Freeway Information

No freeways will be closed on race day; however, expect delays on Highway 87 near downtown and Highway 880 near Bascom Avenue due to the close proximity of the race course to those roads.

Specific Access Routes
Fairmount Hotel / St. Joseph’s Basilica:
Due to close proximity to the finish line at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, allow extra time for alternate access and expect delays before the race starts (7- 8:00 am). Use the following access route during the race (8:00 am – 12 Noon): From San Carlos Street, use 1st and 2nd Street to connect with San Fernando Street. Hotel guests will be metered in/out on Market Street.

Hotel DeAnza
Please notify the hotel’s valet parking service on Saturday night if you will
be leaving between 7:00 and 10:00 am. The race organizers have arranged
for hotel parking on Notre Dame, between Santa Clara and Carlysle
Streets. From this parking area, you will be able to drive north on Notre
Dame, turn left on Julian Street, and access Highway 87/Guadalupe
Parkway. To access the San Jose airport, follow directions above to
Highway 87 north and follow signs to airport. Prior to the complete
reopening of Santa Clara Street/The Alameda at 12:30 pm, use Highway 87
to return to the Hotel De Anza before 10:00 am. From Highway 87, exit east
on Julian Street, turn right on North Almaden Blvd, left on Carlysle Street
and right onto Notre Dame Ave.

Cory Neighborhood
Residents between Newhall and Hedding, Monroe and Bascom, can use
Cherrystone Drive to exit this part of the route between 7:00-11:30 am.
Roiscrucian Neighborhood – YMCA, Calvary & Scientology Churches
Residents, YMCA patrons and church visitors can use Park Avenue for
inbound access and The Alameda for outbound access between 8:00 am
and 12 Noon.

For more assistance regarding road closures and alternate access routes, please
email SJCommunity@eliteracing.com. Please provide as much information as pos-
sible, including your starting and ending destinations, so that we can more readily
assist you.

On Monday September 22, people from around the world get together to celebrate a day without cars. With gas prices at an all time high, Carfree Day is the perfect time to leave your car at home and get around your neighborhood and the region by foot, bike, bus, and train or by sharing the ride.

I did not find any events listed for San Jose nor did I find any information on the VTA site saying what a great day to take public transit. Carfree Day is not mentioned on the San Jose Green Vision site. People asleep at the wheel. You and I knew about World Carfree Day, right?

Last Saturday a pedestrian was struck down in the crosswalk on Pine at Hicks. This afternoon a red-light-runner caused this mess at the same intersection. As bad as the rolled van looked, the occupants did not seem seriously injured.

San Jose District 6 City Council member Pierluigi Oliverio (blue shirt) arrived at the scene. He was talking of ways to make the streets of Willow Glen safer - - possibly red-light violators could be caught on camera.

The VTA will be replacing the embedded light rail track in the roadway at the First and Devine streets intersection beginning Friday afternoon 1:00 pm through about 4:00 am Monday morning.

During this time a free “bus bridge” will replace light rail service between the Convention Center station and the Civic Center station with stops at the San Antonio, Santa Clara, St. James and Japantown/Ayer stations. The substitute “bus bridge” service runs at the same frequency as light rail service.

In addition, during this time northbound vehicle traffic on First Street will be detoured west on Devine Street, north on Market Street, east on Julian Street and then north on First Street.

All light rail bus bridge stops, including the one for southbound Japantown/Ayer passengers, are located adjacent to the affected stations; however, northbound passengers ending their trip at the Japantown/Ayer station will be dropped off at a temporary bus stop at Third and Empire streets.

The repair work involves demolishing existing concrete, removing old, worn rail, laying new track, and pouring new concrete.

More detailed information here.

Downtown Light Rail Closure
Beginning Friday August 22, 1:00 pm

VTA Customer Service 408-321-2300

While the work to improve SJC goes on, and on, deciphering and then maneuvering through the new traffic pattern can be a challenge. Today passengers can once again be dropped off curbside in front of Terminal A.

The arrival side was to be closed to traffic, due to construction, but thank goodness someone realized what a nightmare that would be. So yes, you can still be picked up curbside just outside of baggage claim. An airport traffic cop told me that they are encouraging passengers with carry-on bags to be picked up on the departure side, closer to the International building.

The speed limit on Highway 87 is now posted at 65 mph.- up from 55 mph. We will all get run over!

While driving south on 280 between 85 and Apple’s main campus I noticed a humongous white plastic looking object on the left side of the freeway. What could it be? — A utility pole? A transmission tower? Would it soon be seeking signs from Martians?

This is what I have discovered:

Once upon a time, (two decades ago) the city of Cupertino was busy getting ready to connect Mary Ave. This would be accomplished with a car overpass spanning 280. Earthen ramps were readied on both sides. Then the city began to hear that the residents living near Stevens Creek were raising concerns. What impact would the traffic have on their neighborhood? The work was halted.

Fast-forward to 2008 and we find that the city of Cupertino is once again attempting to traverse 280. This time it will be with a Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge. For reference: walkers and bicyclists will be able to move from the area of De Anza College to Homestead High School with ease.

I though it was unusual to see logging trucks in our area. Then when the logs became a daily sighting on Highways 17 and 280, I wondered if perhaps some big redwoods had been removed one step ahead of a wildfire.

Actually, the trucks are part of a logging operation taking place on private land (160 acres) in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

As I strolled out one evening within a small cafe
A forty year old waitress to me these words did say
I see that you are a logger and not just a common bum
Because no one but a logger stirs his coffee with his thumb
–Grateful Dead Lyrics

Looking over Silicon Valley from Sierra Road.

2/20: Stage 3 - Modesto to San José:

The race begins this morning in Modesto at 10am. It will be a great triumph just getting to San Jose. The route will take the riders to Patterson then up and over the 4360-foot summit of Mt. Hamilton. This is a beautiful drive by car, but not an easy feat by bike. The weather could add extra caution to the 18-mile descent.

Once here in the valley, the cyclists will be directed north on Piedmont Road and then unbelievably they will be asked to make it up Sierra (Grade) Road. This ‘hill’ of 1,943 feet in 3.7 miles may very well be the decider of today’s race. The downhill run from Calaveras Road to Piedmont Road, and then to City Hall should be a welcome breeze.

The CHP will be restricting motorized traffic during the day:

Calaveras Rd. - closed 1 to 3pm

Rolling Closure Areas:
Piedmont Rd.
Mabury Rd.
becomes Taylor St.
N. 2nd St.
St. James

3rd St. - closed between St. James and San Fernando noon to 6pm

Santa Clara St. - closed from Second to Fourth early morning to 6pm
and from Fourth to Seventh will be closed to 8pm.

Finish @ City Hall

AMGEN’S TOUR OF CALIFORNIA
STAGE 3 COVERAGE BEGINS WEDNESDAY AT 9:30A

Comcast TV
081 VERSUS
Wed, Feb 20, 8:00p - 9:00p