Homeless residents living along train tracks pose an unsafe and dangerous problem for railroad workers across California cities, including San Jose. Recent videos shared by a San Jose-based railroad enthusiast show workers and riders passing by homeless camps close to the tracks — giving a glimpse into some of the most egregious encampment sites. While railroad officials...
California law sparks VTA workplace violence prevention plan
Tragedy and a lack of workplace safety measures led one Silicon Valley lawmaker to call for tighter regulations to protect employees. Senate Bill 553, state Sen. Dave Cortese’s bill relating to occupational safety and workplace violence, took effect this summer. The bill focuses on preventing violent incidents like the 2021 VTA shooting at the hands...
Safety improvements planned for Silicon Valley transit corridor
Stevens Creek Boulevard is on the road to a complete renovation in the name of safety and public transit, but improvements are years away. The Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor Vision Steering Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to recommend a plan for the nearly 8-mile, heavily-trafficked thoroughfare. The plan could better the unwalkable, dangerous corridor by...
San Jose cyclists unhappy with traffic safety barriers
Traffic safety improvements meant to protect San Jose and Los Gatos may have actually made cycling on a busy road more dangerous, bicycle riders said. San Jose transportation department workers recently added plastic barriers known as “bollards” along Los Gatos Almaden Road to protect cyclists in the bike lane from reckless drivers. City leaders made...
West Valley lowers speed limits for safety
Roads in certain parts of fast-paced Silicon Valley have just gotten slower. Los Gatos and Cupertino recently slowed some speed limits by 5 miles per hour in an attempt to promote traffic safety and reduce injuries and fatalities. Los Gatos will lower the speed limit from 35 to 30 mph on certain parts of Blossom...
Historic San Jose trolley brings back holiday charm
Commuters pause and stare when the doors open along downtown San Jose’s light rail train stops. Before them isn’t the sleek white transit car they’re used to — but a time machine. VTA officials are reviving their most unique, 96-year-old holiday trolley car after a yearslong absence to run a brief stretch — free of...
Silicon Valley cities get funding for ride-share service
Multiple Silicon Valley cities are raking in money for micro-transit programs, which transit advocates say is critical for areas with sparser public transportation. Sunnyvale has secured a roughly $4.2 million grant from the California State Transportation Agency to cover about half the cost of a micro-transit pilot program for at least five years beginning next year....
San Jose streets getting traffic cameras to improve safety
Dozens of traffic enforcement cameras will be placed across San Jose’s most dangerous streets after city leaders approved a multimillion-dollar pilot program. City transportation officials have examined priority safety corridors where 30% of fatalities and severe injuries are caused by speeding vehicles, and have identified 63 potential locations for “speed safety cameras.” Councilmember Pam Foley,...
San Jose residents want sound walls to protect neighborhood
The San Jose City Council is going to correct a decadeslong freeway oversight and approve sound walls along Interstate 280 near a forgotten neighborhood. Sound wall barriers would be constructed along the I-280 corridor next to the San Jose Gardner neighborhood and elementary school. The work is expected to be approved by councilmembers Tuesday. The...
Los Gatos roadwork critical to student safety
A key Los Gatos school intersection in need of safety features is getting long-awaited renovations this fall. Los Gatos has begun building sidewalks and buffered bike lanes along a 0.3-mile stretch of Shannon Road between Cherry Blossom Lane and Los Gatos Boulevard. Portions of the stretch are missing sidewalks and protected bike lanes even though it’s...