Posted by Bea, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jun 23, 2011 at 4:37 pm

I noticed a few miles before and after these construction zones are temporary speed signs stating maximum speed 55 mph. The CHP is missing out on some funds! I tried going 55 and was yelled, honked and practically run over! ... they need to be more conspicuous.

Posted by Carol, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jun 24, 2011 at 7:43 am

I'm so glad they are finally fixing 680. I must say the noise at night has been terrible. The percussion from breaking up the concrete actually shakes my house and has kept us awake many nights. I just wish they were putting up sound walls, too. Especially between El Pintado and El Cerro on south 680.

Posted by FanDanville, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jun 24, 2011 at 9:19 am

"Bea: I noticed a few miles before and after these construction zones are temporary speed signs stating maximum speed 55 mph."

One of the problems with the Speed Limit Signs is that they are placed:

(1) in areas where no construction is being done, and

(2) few and far between.

(3) also signs to give more clarification about HOW MANY lanes are being closed or left open.

There is no real reason to have the signs "a few MILES before and after these construction zones". Drivers are smart enough to see that there is no real reason to slow down during these empty miles (so, Bea, yes you are going to get honked at. Drive at the speed of other traffic, otherwise YOU will CREATE the accident that you otherwise desire to avoid.)

However, there need to be Speed Limit Signs RIGHT BEFORE where the construction is and additional signs during the construction (in case the first sign is missed in watching the traffic). This would be a good place to use one of those ELECTRONIC SIGNS that are more visible.

The other problem is that drivers can't tell HOW MANY LANES to move over.

You move over one or two lanes--sometimes that's enough, sometimes not.

You think the merging is over....and then suddenly it is not.

You would think that, with years of experience, Cal Trans would be able to do a BETTER JOB of signage and therefore protection of its workers.

It's like Cal Trans doesn't really care. Their workers are protected within these inner circles of blocking vehicles, but if merging cars collide back at the lane change points, then too bad for them!

I think that these suggested signage changes would help.

I live in this area and know of the construction and the lane changes, and yet I've experienced several near misses and close calls already that have had my adrenaline pumping.

There is going to be an accident....and it is not the speed limit, so much as the signage, that is at fault.