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A large pothole on northbound Interstate 680 in Danville prompted the California Highway Patrol to shut down one lane while Caltrans crews made repairs this morning.
The pothole opened up in the far left lane just south of Sycamore Valley Road East, CHP Sgt. John Carman said.
At least one car got a flat tire and the driver pulled over on the shoulder of the highway, Carman said.
No injuries have been reported.
The CHP issued a Sig-alert at 10:43 a.m., which was expected to remain in effect until about 12:30 p.m. when repairs were to be completed.
I am extremely concerned about the lane reconfigurations on Hwy. 680 which are currently being used in order to effect the road work that will take almost two years to complete.
The use of the median concrete barriers against the slow lane as well as the concrete barrier that runs up against the car pool lane leaves very little room for vehicles to maneuver in case of a mishap. Also, the lanes themselves feel narrower, although this may be because of the loss of a shoulder in both the median side of the center lane and the outer side of the slow lane. At the very least, CalTrans should have a flashing sign that informs drivers to reduce their speed in these very dangerous areas as well as a mandatory reduction of the speed limit to 55mph due to construction.
This would be a common sense move if CalTrans insists on restriping and reconfiguring with concrete barriers in the current manner. Also, the quick merging from the Sycamore Valley Rd. on-ramp right before the slow-lane concrete barrier is dangerous. Traffic could merge sooner, thereby eliminating the possibility of a head-on crash into the start of the barrier.
It’s wonderful that this work has finally begun. We’ve waited long enough for it, but now CalTrans needs to lessen the chance for a serious, perhaps deadly, accident.
How about fixing/filling all the potholes in the slow/right lane on South 680 between Sycamore & Crow Canyon? Those have got to be causing some damage.
Elsie: nicely written concerns!