It's a nuisance for motorists trying to dodge the potholes, but for bicyclists an unexpected rut or a patch of uneven pavement is dangerous. It can cause a nasty fall. And uneven pavement is a trip hazard for pedestrians, especially seniors. Everything we've said, so far, is obvious. What we don't understand is why the city and Caltrans haven't done anything about it.
Federal law requires state and local governments to allow telecoms to dig up streets.
But no matter how well a street is repaired, the patch job doesn't return the street to its original condition. And the condition of the street usually gets worse after the patch job. As the Daily News reported Monday, staffers in the city's public works department are just now discussing the idea of charging telecoms for resurfacing streets that deteriorate after they've been patched. We're told it will be a couple of more months before such a proposal makes it to the City Council. Caltrans, which is in charge of El Camino Real, doesn't have a policy either.