September 1, 2005

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Last week we reported that plans are afoot to increase lanes on the Almaden Expressway between Blossom Hill Road and Branham Lane. Do you think they should widen Almaden Expressway? If so, how far south should they widen it?
(Asked at Almaden Plaza)

“I have mixed feelings about it. Why are they widening it? If it’s to accommodate the current traffic, I’m happy. But I wouldn’t be happy if it’s to accommodate more vehicles. Even though it’s only supposed to be from Branham to Blossom Valley, I read that they might extend it to Redmond.”

Belinda Byerly-Robins, 43
Almaden / Volunteer at Santa Maria Urban Ministries, and Homeless Garden Project in Santa Cruz


“I don’t think they should widen it at all. There’s already too much traffic.”

Anna Evanier, 33
Almaden / Housewife


“I don’t use Almaden Expressway very much south of Highway 85 and even less north of 85. I don’t think the number of lanes is the problem. The timing of the lights is the problem. I also think that whenever you create or extend a traffic route that it generates more traffic.”
Linda Riebel, 59
Almaden / Psychologist


“No, I don’t want it or Almaden to get any bigger than it already is. It’s already grown since I moved here 12 years ago. I don’t think the traffic is bad enough to widen it. If they widen it, more people will use it. We already have lots of people coming down Bailey and flying to Via Valiente too fast. Widen the freeway, not Almaden Expressway.”
Teresa Kahn, 47
Almaden / Homemaker


“I would not like it expanded, it’s already crazy driving out there. There’s too much traffic and people drive in a crazy way. The speed limit is 45 [MPH] and they drive 60 to 65. It’s too dangerous. I want them to keep Almaden the way it is with open spaces, leave the land alone.”
Huong Lam-Wang, 45
Almaden / Homemaker


“No, because the only interval of peak traffic is about an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. Almaden Expressway is always free flowing, it’s never grid locked. I’ve never had to stop or get bogged down in traffic and I travel on it quite a bit. It’s one thing down by Blossom Hill Road, but by the time you get out to Via Valiente there’s no need to widen it. ”
Amanda Laugesen, 42
Almaden / Interior designer


“I don’t see how they could widen it [out here past Camden] because I don’t know where any extra space is. I’d prefer they build fewer homes and leave the open space. They need to stop cramming homes into tiny areas. There’s only so much space, it’s time for them to stop building.”

Barbara Leone, 50+
Almaden / Homemaker


“I don’t think they need to widen the expressway because if it were wider it would just encourage more people to go this way. I’ve been here for 30 years, and traffic is not a problem for me.”

Julie Miller, 32
Almaden / Housewife