Q: Has the CHP investigated Republic Services transfer trucks that are entering Interstate 680 at Marina Vista and headed to the Keller Canyon Landfill in Pittsburg for littering?

Several times a week, I am behind one of these trucks. More than half are littering the freeway with mostly plastic bags and other garbage. I see stuff flying off these trucks all the time. The wire cages on top are often broken and inadequate. One morning last week there were three trucks in a row. Two out of three had plastic bags flying off. I have this on my dashcam.

All you have to do is look at the hillside on the south side of the freeway between Marina Vista and Arthur Road to see all the plastic bags and garbage there. This has been going on for more than a decade. Ten or so years ago a bolt flew off one of these trucks and broke my windshield. I’ll bet the CHP could have a field day citing these trucks.

Bill Berriman, Martinez

A: I bet you are right.

Q: Speeding garbage trucks going north on Highway 101 are blowing paper and other trash out of their tops. Can’t those tops be covered or closed when they are done collecting to prevent the paper from blowing out onto the highway?

Michael Singer, San Jose

A: They should be. Last year the California Highway Patrol issued 3,100 littering tickets but only a handful went to garbage trucks. These folks need to keep their trash in their trucks and set a better example. The CHP knows about problems on I-680. Don’t be surprised to see a few CHP cars patrolling that freeway.

Q: We’re curious about the orange plastic fences being installed on various freeway cloverleaves. I think there is a small sign about wildlife protection. Are animals living there, and how does the fence protect them?

Roger Petersen

A:  The fencing is to keep workers out of environmentally sensitive wildlife areas. They are also located next to the freeway so that conduit and fiber-optic communications cables can be installed like at Mission Boulevard entering 680 north, 101 south onto 237 east and
101 north exiting onto Rengstorff.

They have been used to protect the San Joaquin antelope squirrel, red-legged frogs and even the giant kangaroo rat, all listed as endangered species.

Q: I often pass construction zone areas (e.g., 101 in Palo Alto or the Interstate 580 corridor) where the posted speed limit is 55 for obvious worker safety. If there are no workers present yet the signs are posted, is the lower speed limit still in effect?

Name withheld by request

A: Yes.

Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.