Dear Red Phone, I am a regular walker on Thomas Grade in the
Jackson Oaks area east of town. This street is a magnet for drawing
walkers and bike riders in the morning, evening and especially
during the weekends.
“Dear Red Phone, I am a regular walker on Thomas Grade in the Jackson Oaks area east of town. This street is a magnet for drawing walkers and bike riders in the morning, evening and especially during the weekends. Often times, I see families with kids out walking. I even see organized bike riders peddling along the street en route to Henry Coe State Park. The steep grade and the view makes the trek worthwhile and it helps to keep one fit. However, the street is really in poor shape, and even dangerous at certain sections. There are wide cracks, faded paint, and missing reflectors and warning posts. Can you work some of your magic and suggest the city look into some of these issues, perhaps possibly a repave sometime soon?”
Red Phone: Dear Loves the View, Red Phone contacted Senior Civil Engineer Scott Creer, who said the city has a Pavement Maintenance Program that helps city staff optimize the annual expenditure of street maintenance funds.
“The current (program) calls for Thomas Grade to receive a crack seal treatment in 2012,” Creer said. “The completion of this work however, would be contingent upon the availability of street maintenance funds in Fiscal Year 2011/12.”
Creer said to address your concerns, the city’s street maintenance crew has been asked to review this section of roadway to make sure that the signage and striping are in good condition and do not compromise the public’s safety.
Good caller, hope that helps. And, happy trekking.
New interchange to open this month
“Red Phone, when is the Tennant Avenue/U.S. 101 interchange going to be complete and open? I’m looking forward to driving on the new, more modern and efficient design. Thanks.”
Red Phone: Dear Local Motorist, Red Phone contacted Julie Behzad, senior civil engineer, who said plans call for the completion of the project by the end of May, but for the new bridge/loop onramp to open by the end of this month.
Hope that answers your question, good caller.
Fallen tree causes power outage
“Red Phone, last Friday (April 8, 2011) the power to our (west Morgan Hill) neighborhood went out about 9:15 p.m. Are these events now considered ‘normal’ – and therefore not newsworthy? I and my neighbors would appreciate information regarding these outages. Thank you.”
Red Phone: Dear In The Dark, power outages are newsworthy depending on the number of affected customers, where they occur and how long the outage lasts. This one – which also affected Red Phone – was not really newsworthy but since you asked, it impacted more than 4,000 customers, according to PG&E spokesperson Fiona Chan.
“Our crews were sent immediately to the scene and worked as safely and quickly as possible to restore power,” Chan said. “It was caused by a tree that fell into our power line on Watsonville Road. Power was restored to more than 3,000 customers within 45 minutes. Service to additional 800 customers was restored before 11 p.m. Power to the remaining 100 customers was restored before 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.”
There you have it, good caller. Hope that shines some light on your questions.
