Road rage at Old Red: Traffic congestion has led to fist fights at interchange

On a typical morning the past few months, drivers using the interchange of Old Redwood Highway off Highway 101 have had a lot of time to sit in their cars, listen to the radio, melt in the heat and fume at the delays.|

On a typical morning the past few months, drivers using the interchange of Old Redwood Highway off Highway 101 have had a lot of time to sit in their cars, listen to the radio, melt in the heat and fume at the delays.

A construction project to improve the bridge and freeway on-off ramps at the interchange is scheduled to be completed by next summer. In the meanwhile, drivers must cope with heavy traffic and delays that have raised tensions and problems. According to reports from the city, police have responded to accidents, dealt with angry drivers and, in at least one case, broken-up fist fights.

“Problems at that location have been major - perhaps worse than most in the recent past,” said Petaluma Police Lt. Dan Fish.

“It’s an extremely difficult situation,” added Petaluma Department of Public Works Director Dan St. John.

The development of the project began in 2010, according to Larry Zimmer, Petaluma’s capital improvement program manager. Zimmer said the city entered into a cooperative agreement with Caltrans in May 2010. The city was the primary designer of the project, while Caltrans was responsible for construction.

The finished project will feature a new overpass with four traffic lanes, one bicycle lane in each direction and pedestrian pathways that are compliant with the American’s With Disabilities Act.

“This is part of a larger goal to expand and widen Highway 101 throughout Sonoma County,” said Zimmer.

Caltrans spokesman Allyn Amsk said the original intersection of Old Redwood Highway and Highway 101 was constructed in 1955, and needed significant improvements to meet current and projected traffic conditions. The new interchange will come with new on-and-off ramps, each with two lanes. The highway will be widened to accommodate standard shoulders. And sound walls will be built next to existing sound walls along the southbound highway.?Amsk noted that the original bridge was built with “non-standard vertical clearance” – meaning large trucks built in the ensuing years and traveling on Highway 101 sometimes got struck on the bridge.

“Caltrans is building a new bridge in the footprint of the old bridge, widening the bridge, raising the height, and at the same time trying to keep ramps open,” said Amsk. 

Amsk said construction stages for completion of the project made traveling through the intersection difficult and suggested that drivers change their habits during the project’s construction.

“In order to keep the interchange open, designers staged construction to alternately close the loop and diagonal on-ramps. ÓThis method allows all movements at the intersection to remain open, but requires frequent changes to traffic conditions and temporarily reduces the capacity of the intersection,” said Amsk. 

Caltrans considered completely closing the intersection, but kept them open due to concerns that this would make traffic conditions worse. That decision has not won them any plaudits, however, as complaints from drivers have been widespread. At a meeting of city staff and management, Petaluma Public Works and Utilities Engineer Tim Moresco reported that Caltrans had received a large amount of emails and letters from people complaining about the traffic delays. He said Petaluma police had been forced to deal with “multiple complaints, accidents and sometimes fist fights that have been caused by this traffic.”

St. John said he personally drove the interchange every day and understood the frustrations drivers had, but also said he and other city officials had met with Caltrans several times to discuss options for easing frustrations. Measures such as improving the street light schedules, using manned traffic flaggers or police to direct traffic, changing some of the signs around the site to better warn drivers of problems, and increasing the work schedule, to get the project finished.

“My heart goes out to anyone who has to use that interchange,” said St. John. “But I don’t think anyone is to blame. I don’t think anybody screwed-up. I think circumstances are to blame. The best advice I can offer everyone is to look for an alternative route.”

This same advice came from Fish, who also said he drove the route regularly, but had found alternatives.

“I know it’s frustrating, but people do not have to use that interchange. The public can take other routes. The whole project is meant to make the city safer. As people get accustomed to the traffic, things will improve. I’m already seeing improvements to traffic in that area,” said Fish.

Amsk said Caltrans was preparing to alter construction of the project to speed things up, including the possibility of adding a second construction crew and allowing crews to work extended hours and days.

“With this strategy we expect the loop on-ramps to re-open by the end of October or early November,” said Amsk.

But Amsk warned that these new measures would only provide “temporary relief during the next stage of construction.”

“Future stages will require new closures, and full traffic relief is not anticipated until project completion,” said Amsk. “For motorists who must use the interchange, we recommend leaving earlier and allowing more time to reach their destination. If possible, motorists should consider using an alternate route.”

Amsk said Caltrans advised that for Highway 101, motorists should consider using the on-and-off ramps at East Washington Street.

“To access southbound US 101, there is also an on-ramp at Pepper Road. To get to the Pepper Road on-ramp, travel north on Stony Point Road from Old Redwood Highway (Petaluma Boulevard North). To cross Highway 101, motorists should consider using Corona Road or East Washington Street.,” said Amsk

Amsk said the project is ahead of schedule and anticipated to be competed in the summer of 2015. City Councilman Mike Healy added that once the project was finished, the city would be better served.

“It’s a case of short-term pain for long-term gain,” said Healy.

Amsk was more defining.

“This will come to an end,” said Amsk.

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