Traffic Nightmare Over: Dougherty Road Finally Reopens

DUBLIN, CA — Dublin city officials this week cured one of the biggest headaches thousands of local motorists have suffered for the last two years. For the average 32,000 drivers who use Dougherty Road daily, the August 24 opening of a third lane in both directions signals an end of bumper-to-bumper traffic and infuriating delays – not to mention the snail’s pace speed limit on a major arterial carrying traffic from San Ramon and Danville to Interstate 580 and the shopping centers of Dublin.

The major portion of the total $23 million improvement project -- rebuilding the roadbed, paving and related work between Sierra Lane and the San Ramon city limits – was performed by DeSilva-Gates, a Dublin construction firm that was awarded an $11.8 million contract in May 2016. During the course of construction that contract was increased to about $13.7 million due to change orders that involved weather delays and other unanticipated problems.

The bulk of project costs, about 76 percent, came from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Measure B and BB funds while most of the remainder was city traffic impact fees, with less than $100,000 from Dublin’s general fund.

While the frequent presence of traffic cops gave many drivers the impression the construction zone was a speed trap with its 30 MPH limit, statistics provided by the city show

While the frequent presence of traffic cops gave many motorists the impression the construction zone was a speed trap, the city says that 109 citations were issued -- seven for speeding, 12 for disobeying posted signs and 90 for distracted driving such as texting and using cellphones.

Now that the project is completed, a city spokesperson said a survey will be performed to determine speed limits on Dublin’s section of the thoroughfare. San Ramon recently increased is speed on its section of Dougherty Road to 50MPH.

Photos courtesy P. Johnson