Politics & Government

Interstate 680 Ride Getting Smoother

Paving with rubberized asphalt has begun in the $50 million rehabilitation project on the busy freeway.

The road from Walnut Creek to Danville is a lot smoother these days.

The rest of Interstate 680 from Danville to Dublin needs a little work, although that is coming soon.

That's the status of the $50 million rehabilitation project on the busy freeway that slices through the San Ramon Valley and the Tri-Valley.

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This past week, Caltrans crews began paving with rubberized asphalt in the Walnut Creek and Danville areas.

On Friday afternoon, the new road surface stretched in the northbound and southbound lanes from Rudgear Road to just south of the Diablo Road exit. The only sections not repaved are those sitting on top of overpasses.

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Starting Tuesday night, more rubberized asphalt will be laid along other parts of the freeway. The northbound lanes will be done first and the southbound lanes will follow.

Caltrans officials say this repaving work will take one to two months.

After that, a final layer of open grade asphalt will be put down. All work is expected to be done by next spring.

When complete, the project will cover eight miles of I-680 from Rudgear Road in Walnut Creek to Alcosta Boulevard in Dublin. It includes the repaving of all lanes of the freeway as well as improvements on the 39 ramps. 

Overpass bridges and freeway shoulders also will be repaired. The southbound carpool lane will be extended from Rudgear Road to Livorna Road in Alamo.

Danville city officials have been one of the prime supporters of the project. That's because the part of I-680 in their town was one of the worst sections of that freeway.

Tai Williams, the director of transportation services for Danville, said city officials are pleased with the efforts so far. She also complimented Caltrans for responding to concerns about noise and other problems raised during construction.

"We think things are moving in the right direction," she said. "This project has been a long time coming and we're very pleased."

There have been complaints from motorists about the sudden lane reconfigurations during construction. Motorists also have expressed concerns about abrupt lane closures during evening repaving work.

Patch reader David Brandt of San Ramon sent an email, saying he was getting on the freeway at Sycamore Valley Road one night last week when he unexpectedly ran into the coned-off lanes.

"I was immediately forced to cross three lanes and merge into traffic moving at 65 mph all in the matter of about 100 feet. This is not safe," Brandt wrote. "There are always at least a few cars entering on this ramp during every light. The angle of the cones is drastic and merging with the fast traffic is almost impossible. I made it with a prayer and can't believe I didn't take out the cones."

Other drivers have complained about damage to their vehicles from the torn-up sections of the freeway. Several have filed claims against the state agency.

Caltrans officials have said they put up electronic and stationary signs to alert drivers well in advance of lane closures. They added that they are constantly adjusting the safety measures as they receive input from drivers.


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