The United States is purportedly the leading nation in the world for science, engineering and technology. Hmm!
I’ve traveled in third world countries that were far speedier and more efficient in solving similar natural disasters.
What is generally a 25-minute commute for me has been over three hours in recent weeks. There is tremendous earth-moving equipment parked and unattended at all hours of the day and night. The only change I’ve seen is now there is a tarp over the dirt heap. To paraphrase a song, “The Hills Are Alive with the Shades of Blue Tarps.”
It was suggested that Caltrans doesn’t wish to pay overtime. Why not three hour shifts, like Ralphs Market, which operates 24 hours a day? Caltrans can be renamed NATO (No action, talk only). Heavy-duty klieg-like lights are parked roadside, presumably to facilitate night work. I’ve never seen them lit. Their purchase price or rental fee must be exorbitant, as Ingersoll-Rand equipment ain’t cheap.
Further irritation is calling Caltrans road conditions, 800.427.7623. The initial recording is a bubbling, inane, giggling woman’s voice full of glee and merriment, followed by a man’s somber recorded voice indicating “one lane each way subject to delays.” The message hasn’t changed for one week although there have been additional lanes at various times. Better current traffic information can be obtained from NBC radio, which updates every 20 minutes. The one positive note is all the drivers have been extremely polite, allowing merging, no horn honking, etc. Perhaps it’s because we’re all on the same boat. The Titanic!
Trudi Dieterle