EDITOR: The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) hosted a
ceremony to officially open the Highway 101 expansion on May 19. As
many of us know, the segment of Highway 101 from Morgan Hill to
South San Jose has been one of the worst bottlenecks in the Bay
Area. For folks who commute on 101 daily, this can mean less hours
sitting in their cars, and more time with their families.
EDITOR:
The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) hosted a ceremony to officially open the Highway 101 expansion on May 19. As many of us know, the segment of Highway 101 from Morgan Hill to South San Jose has been one of the worst bottlenecks in the Bay Area. For folks who commute on 101 daily, this can mean less hours sitting in their cars, and more time with their families.
As I watched the news coverage of the opening, I couldn’t help but think of all that was involved in making this expansion happen. I want to take this opportunity to thank the elected officials, VTA staff and voters of Santa Clara County that made this expansion possible.
I especially need to thank Supervisor Don Gage. When the federal Fish and Wildlife Service threatened to delay the project, it was Don who led the charge to bring all the appropriate players to the table for negotiation. It was Don’s unrelenting resolve and leadership that lead to the final agreement with Fish and Wildlife to obtain the permits for construction.
If not for Don, this project would not have been completed on time and under budget.
Sig Sanchez, Gilroy
