Give beloved columnist
a street in his name

Re: “Council honors treasured columnist” (Page B1, Jan. 10).

I enthusiastically endorse Sal Pizarro’s suggestion that a portion of Ridder Park Drive be renamed Gary Richards Drive.

I learned so much from Mr. Roadshow and sorely miss him every time I flip the first section to Page 2.

Pat Marcotte
San Jose

Require utilities
to publish their costs

Re: “Make the CPUC board elected positions” (Page A6, Jan. 10).

I agree with Michael McWalters’ suggestion that CPUC members be elected by the public.

In order to make that change meaningful I believe that utilities should be required to publish the price of their product; dollars per kilowatt-hour for electricity, dollars per therms of natural gas and dollars per gallon of potable water. CPUC members should then be required to explain and resolve large differences in these costs between communities.

Ideally, such a system should be required nationwide so Californians can see how much more they pay for products. Gasoline prices that are required to be made public nationwide show a glaring difference between California and the rest of the United States.

K. R. Kummerer
Saratoga

Electing CPUC board
could help rein in costs

Re: “Make the CPUC board elected positions” (Page A6, Jan. 10).

Reading Michael McWalters’ comments on the CPUC, I agree with his assessment of their appointment by the governor.

This is long overdue to have the commission elected and not appointed, hoping to remove the donation factor with its biased approach.

We need help with the rising cost of utilities.

Willard Mathis
San Jose

Rooftop solar is good
for state in long run

Re: “Rooftop-solar firms struggle” (Page A1, Jan. 10).

If the new rules for rooftop solar systems merely switched solar from being profitable in seven to 11 years, that shouldn’t collapse the market for them. These systems come with 25-year warranties and are installed on homes with 30-year mortgages. They are built to last, are profitable for homeowners in the long run, increase the resale value of homes, and are a benefit to the power grid in general.

As cities build more housing for growing populations, and as people seek to electrify everything from cars to stoves to gardening equipment, we’re going to need more electricity to meet these growing demands. Rooftop solar is not disrupting desert ecosystems or requiring large transmission lines through fire-prone forests; it is literally producing the energy where it will be used. We need to revise the rules so the incentives align with our needs and continue to promote rooftop solar.

Andrew Lowd
San Jose

Profound evidence of
climate change’s peril

Re: “Planet inched closer to ‘scorched Earth’” (Page A1, Jan. 10).

The juxtaposition of six stories in the San Jose Mercury News on Jan. 10 highlights the urgency needed to address the growing climate crisis.

In the Opinion Section, “Why should all Californians pay for the fire risks only a few face?” (Page A6) and in Local, “San Mateo property owners narrowly approve stormwater fee” (Page B3) underline current costs associated with delayed action, and portend the rising future costs predicted by the insurance industry.

Campbell Scott
Los Gatos

The council adjourned its meeting Tuesday in honor of Richards, who died Dec. 17 at age 72 following a long battle with a degenerative muscle and nerve disease.

“Gary Richards wasn’t just a writer. He was a voice for the unsung heroes in the transportation world,” Councilmember Domingo Candelas said. “As we bid farewell to Mr. Roadshow, let us remember the positive changes he brought to our lives.”

Jan Richards, Gary’s wife, was in the council chambers with their daughter, Anne, for the special moment.

“We so appreciate this honor for Gary and if he were here he would appreciate it too,” Jan Richards said. “He knew that he could do good things through this work, for readers he wrote for and organizations who could do a better job when they knew the real concerns of the millions of people using this area’s busy roads and transportation systems.”

It was a touching gesture by the council. But one reader, Bobbi Lotman, made a suggestion to me recently that it might be more appropriate to remember Mr. Roadshow by putting his name on one of the city’s streets. Could anything be more fitting for Mr. Roadshow?

Of course, renaming a street isn’t simple. It means getting affected property owners on board, convincing the city council to approve the change and finding someone to pay for the new street signs. But it can be done. The Children’s Discovery Museum is on Woz Way, named after Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who provided a lot of early support for the Purple Museum. In 2020, the San Jose Earthquakes renamed a street adjacent to Pay Pal Park as Wondo Way to honor retired star Chris Wondoloski. And a massive effort culminated in 2021 with the renaming of portions of Autumn Street and Bird Avenue to Barack Obama Boulevard.

Here’s my suggestion: Gary spent most of his career working at the old Mercury News plant at 750 Ridder Park Drive, which was sold to Supermicro when the Merc moved back downtown a decade ago. How about renaming the portion of the street from Schallenberger Road until it dead ends as Gary Richards Drive? The rest of the street can continue to honor the Ridder family’s contributions to the area — Ridder Park Drive extends north past Brokaw Road — but that section can be Gary’s stretch.

Any other ideas?

AN OFFER YOU CAN’T REFUSE: I’ve never given much thought to joining a cult. Seems like that would involve a lot of meetings and, you know, people. But I have to concede that I’d consider a cult that was all about watching movies and live theater — and 3Below Theaters in downtown San Jose has started a new membership program to help it survive  — and it includes a lot of free perks, without all the actual cult downsides.

It’s called 3 Believers, and members get discounts on shows, exclusive events and freebies when they come to a movie, play or other special event. Memberships are $150 a year, but there are discounts if you have multiple members in the same household and if you’re 25 or younger, a 12-month membership is just $25. Get all the details at sanjoseplayhouse.org/3believers-membership.

Since 3Below opened in 2018, replacing the former Camera 3 Theatres, owners Shannon and Scott Guggenheim have worked hard to enliven their corner of downtown at Second and San Carlos Streets with a mix of live stage performances, first-run movies, repertory films and special events like singalong screenings. They’ll be the first to tell you it hasn’t been easy, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But rather than launch a big fundraising campaign to stay afloat this year, the Guggenheims said they preferred a way to provide some solid financial footing while also providing a benefit for audiences. Now, that doesn’t sound like a bad cult to join — and there’s popcorn.

PALO ALTO SEEKING ARTISTS: The Palo Alto Public Art Program is looking for its next King Artist in Residence, inviting Bay Area artists, art collectives and others to apply before the Feb. 2 deadline.

The artist or team that’s picked will engage with the community on their topic of choice — focused on equity, inclusion and belonging in Palo Alto — and then create an artwork that may be displayed on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King Plaza for at least six months. You can get more information at bit.ly/2024kingartistresidency.

Richards’ efforts were
those of a gentleman

Re: “Remembering Mr. Roadshow” (Page A9, Dec. 24).

I recently came to find out that Gary Richards, the columnist of Mr. Roadshow, passed away. My heartfelt condolences to his family.

Gary Richards was a good gentleman who took efforts to answer almost every message or letter he received. This dates to mid-2002 when I was residing in Cupertino and would travel on Lawrence Expressway every day to my work. I had noticed the 280 North and South entry signs on Lawrence Expressway were incorrect and had written a short note to Gary Richards. He was such a gracious person — he responded to it in the newspaper and got the sign boards corrected.

Gary Richards responded positively. That’s what I appreciate.

He was liked and loved by all. It is sad to see him go. May his soul be at peace.

Prakash Venkatakrishna
Bangalore, India

Gratitude for Richards’
guidance on roadways

Re: “Remembering Mr. Roadshow” (Page A9, Dec. 24).

For Mr. Roadshow; Gary Richards, thank you for guiding my commute for 25 years and keeping me safe. You collected a team of people and experts that made a community. You showed a sense of humor through it all which made the column worth reading.

I hope we can continue your legacy somehow. Might I suggest a “Traffic Institute,” a place where traffic problems can be posted and solved?

I will always remember you and be grateful for your help.

Patricia Walker
Ben Lomond

We need voters to keep
Trump from office

Re: “Idea to keep Trump off March primary ballot gains traction” (Page A1, Dec. 23).

If Donald Trump is off the California ballot in the primary or general election, so what?

Trump could be off the California, New York, Colorado, Oregon and Washington ballots and still win the Electoral College and become president. The Supreme Court would need to rule that it has been determined that Trump participated in an attempted insurrection. It’s at best unclear that determination has been effectively made in Colorado.

We need “America First,” not “Trump First,” voters to turn out bigly in the battleground states on which the Electoral College outcome turns.

Tahir Naim
Santa Clara

Gratitude for years
of traffic counsel

Goodbye, Gary Richards, we are going to be lost without you.

He was such a good guy. Our deepest sympathy to his family and our gratitude for his years of traffic counsel and just being our friend.

Joanne Kobori
San Jose

Shock and sadness
at columnist’s death

It was with shock and sadness that we read of Gary Richards’ (Mr. Roadshow) passing.

As long-time East Bay Times subscribers, we have gleaned so much useful information from his column. Although we were not personally acquainted with him, we, like many others I’m sure, feel like we’ve lost a friend.

Condolences are sent to his wife and family.

Rita Gordon
San Lorenzo

Mr. Roadshow felt
just like an old friend

Just when I thought the news couldn’t get any sadder, I read about the death of Gary Richards, “Mr. Roadshow.”

I read his column regularly — he felt like a good friend. I didn’t realize he was having health issues. My heart and condolences go out to his family.

The only silver lining is knowing the road to heaven is safer and smoother now thanks to Gary. Rest in peace good friend.

Nancy Krakauer
Pleasanton

Column established
hall-of-fame career

Long-suffering commuters everywhere lost one of their most effective champions with the passing of Gary Richards.

I first got to know Gary when I was a public information officer for Caltrans in the 1990s. His knowledge and pointed questions always kept us on our toes. I was so impressed with him that I invited him to attend a training class of all Caltrans PIOs to help them better understand how to get the media timely and accurate information to be accountable to taxpayers and transportation system users. Getting a call from Gary always made my heart skip a beat, but I knew I could count on his fairness and professionalism.

Years later I was pleased to continue to be a technical resource to him on asphalt-related issues. Recently our association inducted him into our Hall of Fame, the first media person so honored in our 70-year history.

Russell Snyder
Executive Director, California Asphalt Pavement Association
West Sacramento

Mr. Roadshow was
a part of the family

I was deeply saddened to read of the passing of “our” Mr. Roadshow. Gary was more than a columnist he was part of our family.

Both my wife and I eagerly looked forward to reading his column each morning and have since 1992. His columns were always informative and helpful, and at times funny and sad. We can’t imagine how many thousands of people he has helped through the years.

I sincerely hope that the San Jose Mercury News will honor Gary by continuing his column — it is needed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Richards family. Gary may have taken the highway to heaven, but he will not be forgotten and will be sorely missed.

Gregory Carlsted
San Jose

Paper must replace
the irreplaceable

My condolences to Gary’s family and co-workers. He was the primary reason I subscribed.

He cannot be replaced, but the Mercury News must replace him.

Jeffrey Eng
Cupertino

For 30 years, column
provided warmth, fun

We’ve been so lucky to have had Mr. Roadshow on our side for 30 years. His columns gave us reliable information we could count on.

For fun, he threw in Mrs. Roadshow’s recipes, gasoline price contests (with prizes), Prius events, and bumper sticker contests to encourage the use of turn indicator “blinkers.” I enjoyed meeting him once at a Mercury News open house. Whenever I emailed him, he replied promptly and with warmth.

He will be greatly missed by his faithful sidekick Mrs. Roadshow, his children and grandchild, the Roadshow dogs, his many readers, and by me.

Bonnie Home
San Jose

Gary Richards’ presence
will long be missed

The passing of Gary Richards is a huge loss.

He will long be remembered for his columns that were filled with advice, humor, remedies and down-to-earth humanity. His presence will be missed.

My condolences to his wife, Jan, and family.

Patricia DeMore
Santa Clara

Thanks to Richards for
helping navigate roadways

I was saddened to hear the news of Mr. Roadshow’s passing. I looked forward to reading his column. He provided real solutions to real problems. His lexicon of Dive Bomber, Road Boulder and Dart Vadar will never be forgotten. May his road to heaven be smooth and pothole-free.

Thanks for helping all of us navigate the roadways.

Anne Garrison
San Jose

Mr. Roadshow created
a community of readers

I began reading Mr. Roadshow in the early 90s, and he soon became a favorite columnist. He informed in a way that I became a better driver, as I was as interested in the rules of the road as in changing road conditions. During COVID his columns were especially helpful, letting readers know how and where to go to renew their licenses.

Gary created a community of folks who shared their questions and insights with him — their mistakes and their wins. I will miss his column and hope that there may be someone out there who can develop the depth of knowledge Gary had, and who will keep us safe.

RIP Gary. My condolences to his wife, Jan, and to members of his family. He will be missed.

Jean Dana
Saratoga

Over 20 years, a friend
was found in column

Goodbye, Mr. Roadshow, Gary Richards. Many will miss you, me most definitely.

Over the last 20 years, I submitted questions and got published answers to more than my fair share of transportation-related questions in his column. Seeing my name in print with a response from Gary was a treat for the day. I didn’t always get the answer I wanted but it was clear that the guy knew his stuff.

Over the years, Gary and I developed a rapport and exchanged many informal emails. I even got to be one of his “sources” on a couple of occasions. I was delighted when, about five years ago, I finally got to meet this decent, sincere man at a talk he gave at Bellarmine College Preparatory high school, where our sons were students.

My last question to him was published a couple of weeks ago; I will keep that column. Goodbye, good sir.

Tim Riener
Fremont

Richards leaves
an enviable legacy

I very much hope that Gary Richards was not one-of-a-kind.

His handling of the “Roadshow” column was exemplary journalism. Fair, even, informative, knowledgeable — for so many years.

It’s such a great loss and sadness for us all. RIP for an enviable life, Gary.

Robert Karr
Cupertino

Gary Richards combined
humanity and humor

I was absolutely shocked and saddened by Mr. Richards’ death. I didn’t know he was battling a degenerative muscle and nerve disease.

He addressed and or answered many issues and questions since I moved to San Jose decades ago. He was a wonderful human with a great sense of humor, too.

M. R. Pamidi
San Jose

Roadshow readership
became a family

It is with great sorrow that I read of Gary Richards’ death. My husband was a Vietnam vet who recently died of cancer after being exposed to Agent Orange, and he read Gary’s column every day for the last 30 years as have I.

Please notify his family that he had family in his readership and that we will miss him every day.

Nancy Anderson
Royal Oaks

Mr. Roadshow made
difference with readers

I was greeted with great sadness upon learning of the passing of Gary Richards. Over the past two decades, I had become a frequent writer to Gary for questions and suggestions and to check in with him on how he was doing. I knew the day would come that Gary would no longer be making his contribution as Mr. Roadshow, I just wish that day was not now. Gary made a difference in the Bay Area roads and communication with his readers and the public agencies that are responsible for our roadways and traffic planning.

Jan, Gary’s wife, was his angel. The two had a relationship that was very special.

Jan, none of us will miss Gary more than you. Please know how many of us there are that Gary made a difference with.

Conrad Schapira
Milpitas

Richards’ Roadshow
was a morning highlight

I don’t remember when I started reading Mr. Roadshow, nor when it became a highlight of my mornings, something I looked forward to on the days it would show up.

I knew from his column that he was a kind man. Then a couple of years back I sent an email to Mr. Richards asking if he had any advice for a driving-related illness issue. He sent first one email with some resources and then another a few days later with some further suggestions.

My condolences to his wife and family. A good man will be missed.

Michael Babcock
Oakland

Gary Richards’ impact
seen in each turn signal

RIP, Gary Richards. For over 15 years I have been an avid reader and sometimes contributor to “Roadshow.” I would quickly browse Page A1 headlines, and turn the page to see what was cooking on “Roadshow.” While driving you could tell when a fellow driver was a “Roadshow” reader — they used their turn signals.

Hopefully, the Mercury News will assign someone to continue the “Roadshow” column, but Gary will be a difficult act to follow.

Tom Darby
San Jose

Column was
packed with information

I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Gary Richards’, Mr. Roadshow, passing on Dec 17.

I had been reading his column daily. He provided so much important information about traffic, driving, safety issues, etc.

Do you think Mrs. Roadshow or others can continue writing this column in the future?

Cynthia Wei
Sunnyvale

Editor’s note: The outpouring of condolences for Gary Richards has been heartwarming. We are truly grateful that he meant as much to you as he did to us. Many of you have asked if there was a charity you could donate to in his honor. In response, his family requests donations to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation or to The Mercury News Wish Book, for which Richards wrote many stories about local charities. 

Keep shining light
on county’s missteps

Re: “Unprotected” (Page A1, Dec. 17).

Kudos once again to the Mercury News for following up on this tragic occurrence.

While I understand the importance of “balance” and the need for policies and procedures, too often the bureaucracy and finger-pointing smack of a lack of accountability by leadership. While it pales in comparison, one only has to review the million-dollar debacle on the historical book deal authorized by county staff, and paid with taxpayer dollars, as yet another example of lack of accountability.

Please don’t let this tragedy be swept under the bureaucratic “rug” like so many other “missteps” over the years.

Killian Byrne
San Jose

‘Mr. Roadshow’ made
a difference for readers

Re: “‘Mr. Roadshow’ remembered for dedication” (Page A1, Dec. 19).

I am feeling such sadness at the passing of Gary Richards, Mr. Roadshow.

I’ve been a faithful reader of his column for decades. He was so helpful, so kind, so smart. My condolences to his colleagues and family.

Talk about making a difference. He will be missed.

Terri Lehab
San Jose

Homelessness affects
whole communities

Re: “Families should step up for homeless” (Page A12, Dec. 17).

Families are taking care of their adult children with mental health, cognitive and developmental disabilities. Many of us are alone with no family member to help. We are aging and providing care for this “invisible population” who will become homeless once we are incapacitated or dead.

Solutions for Supportive Homes, a grassroots organization, is a group of parents advocating for and looking to create permanent, affordable, supportive homes that so many need. We need the assistance of social agencies today to prevent future homelessness. We need cities and counties to plan ahead and invest in housing solutions for this vulnerable population that requires support in order to thrive and not end up in the streets.

The homeless problem will not go away as new generations of people needing supportive housing continue to emerge in communities where appropriate housing is unavailable.

Carolyn Shepard
Belmont

Apply CEQA to effects
of too few homes

Re: “Stop scapegoating CEQA for our affordable housing crisis” (Page A12, Dec. 17).

Jennifer Ganata and Doug Carstens are partially correct when they argue that CEQA is unfairly blamed for all of our housing problems. CEQA is only one of many problems why we don’t build enough housing.

A good start for environmentalists would be to apply a CEQA review of what happens when we don’t build enough housing. For starters, it would reveal far greater environmental damage when the housing gets built in faraway places and people drive much longer distances to work in older cars. It would also reveal our utter failure to build mass transit half as well as our grandparents did, and would also tell us that most of the traffic people think comes from high-density housing near them is actually coming from cars being driven from cities far away and through Coyote Valley using “byways” on their way to work.

Thomas Scott
Morgan Hill

If Trump is reelected,
he’s unlikely to leave

Re: “Appeals court again upholds Trump gag order” (Page A4, Dec. 15).

Donald Trump’s inability to accept even tiny bits of fact and truth is mirrored in his claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

Republicans wouldn’t impeach Trump but climbed on each other’s back to launch an impeachment inquiry of President Biden.

We’re all very nervous, but few seem to express that if Trump gets the Republican nomination, he is unlikely to accept the count and certification. Think of everything he’s done and double it. If he wins the presidency for four more years, does anyone think he will leave?

In either scenario, there are many more Proud Boys, not in jail, who would come to his aid.

David Eisbach
San Jose

Send Israel’s military
aid to Ukraine

If we want to try to keep Benjamin Netanyahu from completely obliterating everyone in the Gaza Strip, especially the civilians, just cut off all funding to Israel.

They already have a huge advantage militarily, so why give them more money to slaughter innocent civilians? The United States could use that money for the war in Ukraine which is more important to world peace than Netanyahu’s desire to wipe out the Palestinian people.

Hamas should be punished, but not the civilians who just happen to live there.

John Bingham
San Jose

Rules of engagement
need a rewrite

Re: “Israeli troops accidentally shoot, kill 3 Israeli hostages” (Page A4, Dec. 16).

They certainly can’t claim ignorance. These are the same rules that all 5 million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have memorized by now, although the rules clearly need updating.

Keith Meehan
Los Gatos

But for more than three decades, they found a tireless advocate at the Mercury News and Bay Area News Group who’d hear their gripes, answer their questions and bring their frustrations to the attention of the transportation officials who could do something about them.

Gary Richards, better known as Mr. Roadshow, died Sunday after a long battle with a degenerative muscle and nerve disease. He was 72.

His special connection to Roadshow readers kept him writing, with the help of his beloved wife, Jan, who would become known as Mrs. Roadshow. Perhaps fittingly, his final column appeared on the day that he died.

“Gary Richards was a treasure in our community and in our newsroom,” said Sarah Dussault, senior editor of the Bay Area News Group, which includes the Mercury News, East Bay Times and other regional publications.

“He loved his job, answering questions from readers and sharing solutions with the community,” Dussault said. “Our roads are safer, and there’s a good chance your commute is smoother, thanks to his Mr. Roadshow column. We’re so grateful that the Bay Area drivers, pedestrians and bike and transit riders got to know and love him just as we did.”

Richards was born in Dubuque, Iowa, Sept. 2, 1951. He earned a degree in political science at Iowa State University, then pursued a graduate degree in journalism while covering sports at the student newspaper, where he met the love of his life, his future wife, Jan, an undergraduate who was writing state news.

Richards went from sports editing at the Ames Tribune to the Quad-City Times, where he worked for nearly three years through 1983 before being hired to work in the sports department at the San Jose Mercury News by his former Ames Tribune editor, John Epperheimer, who was drawn to Richards’ “enthusiasm and earnestness and good cheer.”

Richards’ inaugural Roadshow column ran September 23, 1991 — turning his daily dialogue with Bay Area commuters into an art years before Silicon Valley introduced crowdsourcing and social media. “Every Monday we’re going to take transportation questions you have and find some answers,” Richards wrote in that first column. “We may not end the backup, but we hope to make the drive a little better.”

Among the columns Richards was most proud of was one recognizing people who’d performed kind and heroic acts in the transportation world, like the men who rescued a woman who’d fallen off the BART platform onto the tracks in San Francisco. Others pushed for median barriers to improve safety on Highway 85.

And then there was the time Richards, an avid fan of the fuel-efficient Toyota Prius, invited readers to the Mercury News’ old Ridder Park Drive office parking lot to mark the expiration of California’s first-edition yellow carpool stickers that entitled the gas-sipping cars to use carpool lanes. One of the surprise guests was an avid Roadshow reader: Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak. When a fan approached Woz and asked if he could take a photo, he handed the Silicon Valley legend his iPhone, then walked over and threw his arm around Mr. Roadshow and smiled for the camera.

Through it all, Richards earned the respect and admiration of transportation officials and others who worked to promote traffic solutions, such as taxes for road work and BART to the South Bay.

“Gary Richards — Mr. Roadshow — was one of the finest people with whom I’ve ever worked,” said Carl Guardino, former CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, which advocated for taxes supporting road improvements and BART. “His road on earth may have come to an end this week, but the path he’s left with his reporting and service to our region will live on forever.”

Eileen Goodwin, former executive director of the Santa Clara County Traffic Authority and now a consultant, said Richards “pointed us in the right direction without being scoldy.”

“That’s really a gift,” Goodwin said.

“He loved doing the column, loved the interaction, loved his profession, loved his family, loved his coworkers,” Jan said Monday. “He was such a good guy.”

Richards was predeceased by his father, Harold, his mother, Eunice, and his brother, Terry. He is survived by his wife Jan, his daughter, Anne, his son Matt, and grandson, Oliver. The family hopes to hold a memorial in February.

— Steve Stamos

A: Janis-the-Caltrans-spokesperson for Alameda County reports that Caltrans plans to open both lanes on Highway 84 in the summer of 2025.

Q: Do you know if the Caltrans contractor is going to grind/smooth out the new “speed bumps” they installed on Highway 4 between Port Chicago Highway and Railroad Avenue in Contra Costa County? They ground some of the new sections, but some of the uneven surfaces are brutal to drive over in a large truck. I’ve seen front ends implode, trailers come unhitched and loads shaken loose.

— Doug B.

A: I’m trying to get an answer for you. In the meantime, try also entering this issue in the Caltrans service request system, available here: https://csr.dot.ca.gov/

Q: I am sure you have traveled up and down Highways 101 and 85 lately and noticed the jungle that is growing in the center dividers on both highways. Since the express lanes are right up against the center divider on 101, these “trees” are growing into the lanes. What can be done about the growth and trash along the center dividers on 101 and 85 in the Palo Alto-Mountain View-Sunnyvale area?

— William Leonard

A: Caltrans wants issues like this reported on their customer service request system so they can be tracked. See this Caltrans page: https://csr.dot.ca.gov/

What is the difference between a regular smog test station and a STAR station? Why do only some cars have to use one?

I have two cars, a ’97 Blazer in San Jose and a 2013 Tahoe in another city. The STAR station in San Jose charged $65 and took 35 minutes to test the car. The STAR station in the other city took 15 minutes and charged $48. Aren’t all smog stations supposed to run the same tests and charge the same?

— Diane Gaskill

A: The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) licenses or contracts with different types of smog check facilities. The station is required to post a sign showing the services it performs.

The purpose of the STAR Program is to improve overall quality of smog checks and help the state meet required emissions reductions. STAR stations are licensed to meet higher performance standards and may run more tests, if needed. Vehicles with a higher likelihood of failure require testing at a STAR station.

Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.

When does it really change to a 3+ toll lane? Toll signs don’t appear until after the overpass to the merge with Highway 101 north. Logically, it seems like it is 2+ until you go onto 101, but I don’t want to get a ticket.

Can you help sort this out for me?

— Peggy Graham

A: I checked with John-the-MTC-spokesman on your question. For those traveling northbound on 85, the express lane begins at the Moffett Boulevard exit in Mountainn View. Until a driver on northbound 85 gets to that exit, the occupancy requirement for use of the carpool lane is two or more people and no FasTrak tag is required.

Once drivers cross that point, they must have a FasTrak tag to use the express lane. To qualify for free travel, drivers must have a FasTrak Flex tag set to the 3+ position, and have at least three people in the vehicle. For a 50% discount, one must have a FasTrak Flex tag set to the 2 position and have two people in the car, or have a qualifying clean air vehicle with a Clean Air Vehicle FasTrak tag set to match the number of occupants in the car. Express lane requirements remain in effect as the driver moves onto Highway 101 in San Jose.

For more information on toll lanes, see this page on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission website: https://mtc.ca.gov/planning/transportation/driving-congestion-environment/mtc-express-lanes

Q: A HAWK light, one with flashing yellow crossing lights, is desperately needed on Winchester Boulevard and Dolores and Kenwood avenues. It is Santa Clara on the Dolores side and San Jose on the Kenwood side. Valley Village is a large senior complex on Winchester and many residents, some with walkers or wheelchairs, need to cross here for the bus stop. I’ve witnessed some close calls!

— Dianne Daly

A: Send your request to traffic.safety@sanjoseca.gov. Someone from the city’s safety section will follow up with you and review your request.

Q: I’m a longtime reader and I simply love your column. I have traveled on Almaden Expressway North in San Jose for years. The timing of the signal at Branham Lane changed recently and only a few cars go on each green. This creates horrendous backups.

Why was this changed?

— Helen Shetty, San Jose

A: I’m trying to get information on this change. In the meantime, try entering a County of Santa Clara Roads and Airports Department service request on this page: https://santaclara.maintstar.co/portal/#/default-1/myRequests. Ask that they check the light timing.

Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.

The turnoff for Terminal B was closed off and all cars were being routed all the way around the long loop past terminal A. What should have taken 10 minutes turned into 45 minutes of terrible traffic.

Are they planning to do the same thing before Christmas? Isn’t there any other way to expedite dropoffs and pickups during high airport traffic times?

— Lynn McCrory

A: Scott Wintner, San Jose airport’s deputy director, responded to your question. He said that what you experienced was the airport’s protocol once traffic backs up at Terminal B, and the end of the loop there becomes impassable, blocking access to Terminal A and exiting to Airport Parkway.

If traffic were not rerouted past Terminal A, the backup would block entrances to nearby properties and, eventually, highway off-ramps.

He appreciated that you reduced congestion by using the cellphone waiting lot. Traffic volume will be high again around Christmas, which means traffic will be slow again getting to and from the terminals.

Q: Perhaps you can help me get a $171 DMV refund which was authorized, but which I have not received 14 months after I first requested it.

The $150 license fee on my 2002 Honda was due on 9/20/2022. I sent my check early, but it had not been cashed by the end of September, so I paid online a second time. By then the cost was $171, including a late fee.

In February, the DMV said the refund would go back to my credit card account, but it had been closed in November 2022, due to fraudulent activity, so I never received the refund. Between then and October, I contacted the DMV at least five more times by phone or letter, and when instructed, submitted the refund request form again. In July, the DMV said it had issued a check in April and to allow 120 days for the check to arrive. It never did.

After all of this, can you help me get my $171 refund?

— Roy Berg, Los Altos

A: I forwarded your information to the DMV. You contacted me this week to say that the DMV had reached out, the problem was resolved, and you now have your refund.

Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.

— Debbie Webster

A: Colin-the-city-spokesman reports that it is a San Jose Public Works project to install large trash capture devices around San Jose. These devices filter litter and debris from stormwater, reducing the amount of trash that enters creeks and rivers. This particular location has a higher ground water table than what was anticipated, which is causing some delay in the installation of the trash capture device. The site will be in the current state until early next year when they can finish excavation plans.

Public Works had its inspection team onsite last week to monitor the contractor cleanup activities. They should have all the loose base rock removed and the roadway swept. Public Works will be monitoring the location more actively to ensure that all traffic control devices are properly placed and there is no loose construction material surrounding the project area.

They anticipate that construction will be complete at this location in May 2024.

Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.