I doubt I am the only person whose car got pummeled by gravel on northbound 101 between Candlestick Park and San Francisco.

CalTrans is on the process of resurfacing that segment, but instead of doing one lane or short segment at a time and diverting traffic, they decided to tear up every single lane (and I mean TEAR UP).

The old concrete was broken up as if with jack hammers, and all lanes remain open even though there is a TON of loose material (gravel like) all over the road. You litterally had trouble seeing the cars in front of you due to the amount of dirt and rocks flying up in the air. My heart just sank as my Z got hit as if going through a meteor shower.

I basically need to repaint the entire front end of the car and replae the windshield. I am in the process of getting two estimates (as required in the CalTrans claim forms). As I was getting one of the estimates all the way down in San Mateo, they had a brand new BMW getting their entire front end repainted for the exact same reason.

I hope someone loses their job over this! I had a very low opinion of CalTrans in the first place, but this is beyond belief that they would be this stupid.

 

Wow i know exactly what you mean. It was just the two left lanes a couple weeks ago when I noticed and since then I've driven it only in the far right lane. Scariest $hit ever hearing those rocks tumble at you.

 

I hate 101 period

 

yah i saw it too, fortunately i was not driving my own car at the time....i truly hate all road repair methods, no one seems to close them off or finish them right/well

 

Wow, it was that bad for you Deni? I travel on this road every day and saw it too. Luckily I managed to be fortunate enough to have traveled on it when they were just doing a couple lanes at a time so I just moved over to the next lane (it also helps that I have a clearbra). This is kind of a "blessing in disguise" for you since you now have a legit excuse to repaint your front bumper since it had so many rock chips from before.

Anyone think I have a legitimate "excuse" to get a "free" windshield from CalTrans? Since my windshield does have a few rock chips here and there..

 

I'm glad 280 is easily accessible from my work location, otherwise I would be in the same boat as yours. 101 sucks period.

 

Well, I mailed all of the claim forms and the estimates to CalTrans claims department this morning (certified and return receipt).

We'll see how it goes from here. I am in no rush because the freeway is still a mess and it looks like they are starting on the southbound lanes as well. No need to get the car repainted until all that work is done.

 

i broke my shocks on 680 when they were repairing the freeway a couple months ago. i was pissed as hell but owell...

 

Caltrans uses the ****iest contractors. I'm sure it's because it goes to the lowest bidder. They prolong the work as much as they can so they can keep getting paid. Sorry to hear about your Z. In fact, you're the second person today that happened to. Good luck with the claim process.

 

That sucks! Let us know how it goes though, I am interested in seeing if they actually do something for you!

 

you need to take as many pics as you can of the road construction conditions. Also, a newspaper next a couple of the photos would help for date referencing.

 

Well, it is only getting worse... CalTrans apparently decided to dig up the southbound lanes last night (101 between Cesar Chavez and 280 interchange). No warning signs, gravel and broken up concrete all over the freeway. This morning, it actually broke my windshield!!

I tried calling CalTrans, but they put you in an infinite voicemail loop. I called the CHP, and they said they are getting lots of complaints and claims. the CHP officer himself told me he has already damaged both his cars due to this road work.

 

grrrr i just noticed that i have a chip too. i heard something smash into my windshield but i couldnt see the damage. i went in for a closer look today and what do you know, a nice chip right near the middle of my windshield!@$!!@#!@$

 

damnit it takes up to 90 days to hear back from caltans after you file your claim!

 

G/L with the claim. I'm not fond of CalTran either. Everytime they are doing something to make me mad I always try to tell myself "there are two sides to the story, maybe there is a good reason they are doing whatever they are doing even though i don't agree with it."


but man.... When i see them "sweeping" the car pool lane at 8AM durring rush hour in the middle of LA i'm just like...... *sigh*

 

how do i go upon filing a claim with caltrans, because the same thing happen to me...I had so many freaking rock chips when i got to work!

 

http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist4/claim.htm



.

 

Interesting news. After sending Channel 2 (KTVU) an email about this yesterday, I just received a call from Sal Castaneda !!

He is coming to my work at 2pm today to interview me and film my Z. It should be on the news tonight!

 

I just printed out my claim forms. Fortunately, it wasn't my Z, but it wreaked havoc on my Durango's front end and I got a crack in my windshield...

 

I just got done with the TV interview. I should be on Channel 2 News between 6pm and 6:30pm tonight.