So Now I Know

[kevin_standlee]

A question of mine appears and is answered today in the Mr. Roadshow column in the San Jose Mercury News. I understand why they do this -- and in fact, I guessed the reason given even when I asked -- but it's still annoying that traffic lane 3 approaching the bridge leads to a dead-end and requires a lane change as you approach the bridge, because as currently configured, it leads to neither a cash nor an open FasTrak toll lane.

Comments

[kalimac.livejournal.com]

I'd read the column and found the answer frustrating even before I noticed that your name was on the question. The answer is to the question, "Why is a lane closed?" but your question was just as much "Why is this particular lane closed?" which the answer doesn't address at all.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

A good point for anyone who doesn't drive that bridge regularly the way I do. With the current lane configuration, the pay lanes are to the right and the FasTrak lanes are to the left. Lane 4 is in the middle of the plaza, and presumably can be set for either cash or FasTrak -- that's why there is a variable sign over it. During commute hours, traffic slows somewhat at the toll plaza, but during non-commute times, traffic moves pretty quickly, and vehicles have a tendency to ignore the 25 mph speed limit on the FasTrak lanes. So by closing lane 4, they create a one-lane buffer zone between the fast lanes and the slow ones where people are still paying cash.

Now I drive relatively slowly. I can't stay in traffic lane 4 because it forces into the cash lanes. Traffic lane 3 leads only to the closed toll lane 4. Traffic lanes 1 and 2 lead to the open FasTrak lanes 1-3. I try and stay out of other people's way, but approaching the toll plaza, I have little choice but to cut in for that last half-mile or so; if I don't do this, I'll get completely cut out and be unable to get through the toll plaza at all.