News Digest News Digest (October 01, 2004)

Improving Route 84

The Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority is soliciting proposals to begin a preliminary analysis of a project to widen state Route 84 along Isabel Avenue in Livermore to four lanes, from Vallecitos Road north to a new planned interchange at I-580. The half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements approved by Alameda County voters in 2000 as Measure B provides $70 million for this project.

Analysis of the widening project will be done over the next few years, prior to beginning the actual design work. If preliminary timetables are met, the actual construction would begin in 2011, and might be completed three years later, at the end of 2013, according to officials at ACTIA.

The environmental analysis of the proposed 580/84 interchange at Isabel is already under way. Proposals for the engineering analysis are due Oct. 25. Time to check heaters

PG&E is reminding customers to do a safety and energy efficiency check of their furnaces before the first cold snap hits and to put on clean filters. Customers can request a pilot re-light and safety inspection by a PG&E gas service representatives by calling (800) PGE-5000 (743-5000). Bush leads in hotel's ketchup poll

Political analysts may still be talking about last night's presidential debate, but the Pleasanton Hotel is already giving President Bush the lead over Sen. John Kerry in its "ketchup wars" poll. Kerry started out strong but has now been overtaken by the president as more restaurant customers put their tomato beans in the W Ketchup jar.

"Each customer gets a bean and can place it in the Heinz Ketchup jar, giving a vote for Kerry, or in the W Ketchup jar for George Bush," explained restaurant owner Bill Laube.

At last count, taken before yesterday's televised debate, Laube said Bush was leading with 142 beans compared to Kerry's 98 beans. Along with the sample vote, Laube is also handing out voter registration information to all patrons.

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