I-580 Traffic Getting Better?

Pleasanton and Dublin CA area residents are well aware of the traffic gridlock that usually greets commuters heading East towards Livermore after 3:00 on weekday afternoons. At times, it seems that walking would be faster than navigating your way through the mess that is I-580.

I am happy to report that the traffic on I-580 seems to be much improved, thanks to the installation of metering lights on the on-ramps. Last week, I had to travel from Pleasanton to Livermore late in the afternoon (around 4:45 PM). I prepared for the usual gridlock and frustration by bringing along a new age CD and practicing deep breathing exercises. What I found was a pleasant surprise to me. Traffic was actually moving… even at 4:45 PM on a Wednesday. Oh sure, it slowed down in spots, and there was the usual assortment of obnoxious people passing on the right, etc. But overall, it did not resemble the usual late afternoon traffic fest on I-580.

Here are some photos I took while driving that afternoon. As you can see, there is actually space between the cars!

P.S., I don’t recommend trying this. Only years of practice as a multi-task expert enabled me to shoot these pictures while driving with my knees, talking on my cell phone, and listening to relaxation tapes at the same time.