Q: I would appreciate if you could tell us more about the changes along Hillsdale between Hwy 87 and Camden.

Cong Nguyen, San Jose

A: You’re not the only one who wants more information on Hillsdale’s controversial changes.

Q: There are many new drive/bike/park markings on Hillsdale Avenue between the Almaden Hwy and Camden. What is confusing is where the bike lanes and parking lanes interchange.

For most of this stretch, parking is curbside and biking is on the left with a striped pad between cyclists and traffic. But here and there, the bike path is next to the sidewalk and the parking lot is between the cyclists and the traffic lanes. If anyone actually parks there, especially at night, they will appear to be parking in the middle of the road and risk being rear-ended by cars going over 40 mph!!!

I know there are areas like this in downtown San Jose, but the speed limit is much lower and there is only one lane of traffic. I think it would be much safer if the markings were consistent for the entire new stretch of road and all parking lots were next to the curb.

Dana Tucker, San Jose

A: And…

Q: What the hell is going on with the crazy stripes on Pearl Avenue and Hillsdale Avenue? Obviously they added bike lanes – which no one uses – and car lanes were removed. Pearl has been reduced to one lane in each direction, and there is room for a second lane but it is “painted”.

Also, what about right turns from Hillsdale to side streets and the ability to hop into bike lanes for a right turn 200 feet from the corner? It seems that we now have to wait for the last meters to move. Who decides how to scratch the roads, anyway?

Denis Brown

A: A large section of Hillsdale Avenue, from Ross Avenue to the Almaden Freeway, has been upgraded for safety reasons and to slow traffic. Once tracing is complete, plastic bollards and traffic signs will be installed.

The street was reduced from six traffic lanes to four. Left turns and U-turns are now limited to a few key intersections.

Hillsdale Avenue is one of San Jose’s 17 Vision Zero Priority Corridors. These streets make up about 3% of the city’s road network, but they are the location of most serious and fatal traffic accidents. In 2021, there were unfortunately two deaths on this stretch of Hillsdale Avenue. Improvements to Hillsdale are intended to prevent future serious and fatal collisions. The performance of security upgrades will be monitored and future changes will be made, if necessary.

Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at [email protected]