When will the city managers (why do some city managers make more money than the president of the United States?) of the cities between Millbrae and Redwood City and mayors of these cities contact Caltrans and demand they fill the many assorted potholes on El Camino Real? These large potholes have grown larger by the years. Our cars are getting damaged from hitting the potholes and it is a safety issue when drivers are forced to swerve in traffic lanes to avoid hitting these potholes. The road condition of El Camino Real is worse than some developing nations.
I urge all residents to send auto repair bills for alignment, tires, wheel balancing to Caltrans, state of California. And while you’re at it, ask Gov. Newsom why our state went from a budget surplus to a $35 billion deficit in one year, as he travels the country attacking Gov. DeSantis, promoting California abortion, failing the residents of California.
I have reached out to various city officials and San Mateo Assemblymember Diane Papan, with no solution to date.
I am only asking Caltran’s to do their job of filling these potholes.
This is a quick five-minute fill and patch job, not a request to repave all lanes of El Camino Real.
The road surface condition on El Camino Real through your hometown, Burlingame, is particularly bad. It desperately needs attention. Maybe we don't pay enough in taxes to keep our state highways in good repair...
I traveled that section of ECR twice yesterday and it is definitely one of the worst stretches of road in the county. As you know the problem is the huge trees encroaching in the roadway and until they are removed or continue to fall during storms there is little that will be done. Unfortunately we both know that it is a long shot that anything will be done soon without the ultimate crushing of homes, cars and the deaths of people by the trees.
I travel that portion of ECR 3-4 times a week, and yes, the trees... historic and beautiful... have limited what changes can be made to improve that section of roadway. If you don't chop down the eucalypti (plural for eucalyptus) perhaps the road can be resurfaced and configured to accomodate only one lane in either direction with a left turn lane in the middle for turns onto cross streets. Maybe truck traffic could be limited on that stretch of ECR by re-routing most of the commerical traffic onto Rollins Road. Maybe.
Thanks for your letter, Mr. Duncan, as well as the recommendation to send repair bills to Caltrans. There was a recent article (https://abc7news.com/bay-area-potholes-caltrans-claims-car-damages/14359988/) showing the percentage of reimbursement is about 4% but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
Meanwhile, you have to wonder whether the prevalence of potholes is caused by the number of electric vehicles, and especially in the area you highlight. After all, electric vehicles are much heavier than gas-powered vehicles and in another DJ article posted today (https://www.smdailyjournal.com/news/state/record-number-of-electric-cars-bought-in-california/article_2b0bec1e-c180-11ee-adc6-274dcbdb4fdc.html) it appears there are even more EVs that will carve up and increase wear and tear on the roads. Now what additional road fees are EV’s paying to cover their extra share of damage?
Terence - EV don't pay a darn thing to the upkeep of our roads. Most of the Caltrans funding comes from fuel taxes which, of course, are not paid by EV owners. It is time to revamp our vehicle taxation system, perhaps a mileage charge combined with a vehicle weight component would be more appropriate.
The money that is intended for infrastructure and road repairs is used for healthcare premiums and housing for illegal immigrants, after school care for children, raises for city, county and state employees, bonuses for city, county and state employees, the 8 Caltrans and CHP caravan of vehicles picking up a little bit of trash at 10 am on Saturday mornings, Gavin's trips to China, etc... everything except for it's intended purpose.
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(7) comments
Hi, Steve
The road surface condition on El Camino Real through your hometown, Burlingame, is particularly bad. It desperately needs attention. Maybe we don't pay enough in taxes to keep our state highways in good repair...
Good morning Ray,
I traveled that section of ECR twice yesterday and it is definitely one of the worst stretches of road in the county. As you know the problem is the huge trees encroaching in the roadway and until they are removed or continue to fall during storms there is little that will be done. Unfortunately we both know that it is a long shot that anything will be done soon without the ultimate crushing of homes, cars and the deaths of people by the trees.
I travel that portion of ECR 3-4 times a week, and yes, the trees... historic and beautiful... have limited what changes can be made to improve that section of roadway. If you don't chop down the eucalypti (plural for eucalyptus) perhaps the road can be resurfaced and configured to accomodate only one lane in either direction with a left turn lane in the middle for turns onto cross streets. Maybe truck traffic could be limited on that stretch of ECR by re-routing most of the commerical traffic onto Rollins Road. Maybe.
Any other ideas?
Thanks for your letter, Mr. Duncan, as well as the recommendation to send repair bills to Caltrans. There was a recent article (https://abc7news.com/bay-area-potholes-caltrans-claims-car-damages/14359988/) showing the percentage of reimbursement is about 4% but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
Meanwhile, you have to wonder whether the prevalence of potholes is caused by the number of electric vehicles, and especially in the area you highlight. After all, electric vehicles are much heavier than gas-powered vehicles and in another DJ article posted today (https://www.smdailyjournal.com/news/state/record-number-of-electric-cars-bought-in-california/article_2b0bec1e-c180-11ee-adc6-274dcbdb4fdc.html) it appears there are even more EVs that will carve up and increase wear and tear on the roads. Now what additional road fees are EV’s paying to cover their extra share of damage?
Terence - EV don't pay a darn thing to the upkeep of our roads. Most of the Caltrans funding comes from fuel taxes which, of course, are not paid by EV owners. It is time to revamp our vehicle taxation system, perhaps a mileage charge combined with a vehicle weight component would be more appropriate.
The money that is intended for infrastructure and road repairs is used for healthcare premiums and housing for illegal immigrants, after school care for children, raises for city, county and state employees, bonuses for city, county and state employees, the 8 Caltrans and CHP caravan of vehicles picking up a little bit of trash at 10 am on Saturday mornings, Gavin's trips to China, etc... everything except for it's intended purpose.
And the source for your post? Truth Social?
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