Posted on Tue, 02/19/2008 - 10:32 — by mornsky
I had my first experience this morning with highway 4 and the new bypass. Wow, was that successful? Traffic now backed up past hillcrest almost to oakley. I spent the first half mile merging twice due to the new configuration. It took me almost a half hour to go from oakley to hillcrest. Then on my way back I almost ended up on the bypass rather then going to the oakley exit. Do I think it was a good idea? No....at this point it just appears to be more accidents waiting to happen. The more changing lanes you have the more accidents. Coming back was ok besides almost going the wrong way, but going westbound was a nightmare. Makes me think going the back way down west 10th may be a better option.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 54
I have tried the Bypass and had similar experiences that your described. I have only gone during now commute hours, but even then, there is something off with the Hillcrest traffic light from westbound Highway 4. Only five cars or so can get through at a time making a left turn and traffic was backed up to the freeway the first time and onto the freeway the second time. It is faster to make right and then a U-turn. Something needs to be adjusted.
I think the Bypass will end up being great once the cities (Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood) and the state (CHP and CalTrans) work out the finer points, such as how it impacts traffic flow in the area. Right now it is too new to judge too harshly.
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 92
From what I read in the Times, traffic planners knew this was going to happen. If I'm not mistaken, there has been talk of future widening of the bypass even before it was open to traffic. Makes you wonder what they were thinking whenit was first planned.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 194
I have to say I have noticed main street being less clogged and cypress. I ran to wells fargo last night about 5 and the traffic wasn't bad at all. Yeah!!! Westbound exit on hillcrest , well I won't take that one again. lol Bad timing on the signals there. I'll try east 18th the next time I'm only going to hillcrest.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 9
Mornsky...I've been dreading the morning commute on the bypass for that one reason alone. I suppose the bypass was developed more to alleviate traffic on the residential main roads. But that only moves the bottle neck closer to Oakley instead of the usual slow down at A Street. West 10th works better for me... before 6:15am. lol
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 194
Yeah I was coming back from antioch today and saw it was backed up almost to oakley. I carpool 2-3 days a week and the girl I drive with lives in old antioch so we don't even get on the freeway until loveridge. The bypass has helped the traffic in oakley, however it appears now that there is more on the freeway.