DISCLAIMER: I have done absolutely no research on anything written below but believe it to be accurate, and true, to the best of my knowledge. So feel free comment on my lack of fact checking, and off the cuff commentary. Thank You!
What makes them think that they can even fix the 101, anyhow? And, why do they think that Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Carpinteria, should put the money up for it? The best four or five days of my life was when the 101 was closed last year. The people who absolutely had to get to SB, took boats. (light bulbs goes off above head) Three lanes is not going to do anything... Anything at all...
Here's what three lanes is going to do for you... "Ahhhhhh 3 lines hmmm finally moving huuhh.. "why don't I just get a job back in Ventura or Oxnard and ride my bike to work" yes, hmmm, oooh, this is great were moving now... screeccchchhch!!!! ah, oh, that was close! What the hell? Oh... I forgot, we are converging back to two lanes now." Repeat several more times before getting to SB.
THAT IS THE PROBLEM VOLKS! (German for Folks, and the preferred method of slow travel worldwide) It's not how many lanes you have, It is how many convergences into less lanes you have, that kills the flow of traffic...
They have six lanes and more, down in LA and, the OC, plus a Carpool Lane.. and you know what? They are all stopped right now.. 7:00am on a Friday! Trying to converge into five lanes. They are all stopped, and in all directions. East, West, North, South, Up, Down, and Sideways.. Of course there are quite a few smart souls taking a little more time to get there but... enjoying the morning paper and a good cup of coffee on the metro rail. Smart!LA, the OC... Down there.. really, there is no hope. Sorry, you are all going to have to start walking again soon. There is no water for boats, the metro rail really only works for some people who work and live in the right location. My only sugggestion here is that if you have to go through there, leave after midnight!
Here's a good theme for a LA based reality show. Let's take people stuck in traffic going north, and have them trade jobs with the people stuck in traffic going south.. Watch how much happier everyone gets as they spend more time at home with the wife and kids, those special pets, or just doing something they like... How will they use those two, three, extra hours a day?? And.. if you don't like the wife and kids, well... maybe you are really better off stuck in traffic, so quit complaining.
Back to our little stretch of heaven along the 101... The problem seems to be one-sided. Meaning... Most of the time, only one side of the highway is f#&ked up! Solution # 1... Always plan your trips to go in the opposite direction of traffic... This would be a good time to point out that between Ventura and Santa Barbara, is at least one section, where, IT IS NOT A FREEWAY!!! This means... You have people stopping to surf, check the surf, getting out car to surf. You have the residents, and visitors, of the beautiful communities of La Conchita, and Mussel Shoals, needing to make turns into their enclaves. So... Next time you are driving north into SB take note of the sign that says "END FREEWAY" and kindly slow down, hang up the phone, and watch for cross traffic and parked cars...
Why am I even reporting on this you might ask?? I am sick of these FIX 101 Stickers!!! Even though I barely work, at all, consider myself to be semi-retired, I travel this 101 from Oxnard to SB pretty much daily. My kids live in the "NARD", and my girlfriend, Jenny, lives on the Westside. You really didn't think I was going to make it through a whole blog without mentioning Jenny... Come on.. I know when all peak traffic periods are, and I really do my best, to avoid them. If I do get caught in one of these traffic jams.. I slow down and check out just how cool it is to live in beautiful Santa Barbara. I check out the birds and trees and rocks and things. Na NaNaNaNA NA... I think about how lucky I was to find such a perfect girlfriend, like Jenny.. What makes her so perfect??? I could tell you, but then I would have to shoot you!
Leave the 101 alone...
Anyway... Fixing the 101 is a complete waste of time and resources.. An unecessary destruction of one of the most beautiful sections of highways in California. Ripping out trees, please... I noticed them coming right up to the back of some peoples houses just north of Carp. WTF?
As far as I can tell we are fixing it for the citizens of Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, etc.. I honestly don't believe three lanes is going to fix anything, and is more likely to cause more stoppages until they can get it to be three lanes all the way with no convergences.
Here are some of my Ideas...
Stop work on the 101, and quit tearing up peoples houses and trees.. Thank You.
There are a lot of jobs, probably more, in "Ventura County" Get one there, and spend more free time at home, in the water, or with the kids...
I noticed that there is a train track that runs all along the 101 from Camarillo to Goleta. I notice it 'cuz.. It is is plain sight, and I can hear it every night. (I don't even need a light bulb going off in my head for this) WTF People? Why doesn't a metro system already exist?? Downtown SB is an easy walk from the train station, so that would work for an awful lot of people.. The more adventurous could bring bikes or take a taxi the rest of the way to work. We don't need everyone off the Highway, just some..OK... Sunday summer afternoon traffic. I have no idea what to do about that but, you are going to need a whole lot more than three lanes.
Personally I would take the Ferry.. Get out on the ocean early, check the surf, and wind conditions... You may just decide, that the day would be far more productive spent in the water with friends. Now... a car ferry, that would be fun! I would think far cheaper than the third lane plan.. I am sure they sell used ferries somewhere in Seattle... I just went to fix101.org and I couldn't find any numbers as to how much? (Charlie says somewhere around $500 Million Dollars!!!) Not to mention, how long this is all going to take but... I am sure we will be "COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL" before they begin their We need to add a forth lane NOW! Campaign begins...
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