The California Highway Patrol has issued a traffic alert along Interstate 580 as thousands of shoppers head to the new Livermore outlets.
The CHP alert says:
DUE TO THE OPENING OF THE NEW PARAGON OUTLET STORES, THERE ARE BIG DELAYS (OVER 40 MINUTES) ON 580 IN BOTH DIRECTIONS APPROACHING EL CHARRO RD...WB TRAFFIC IS BACKED UP TO VASCO ROAD...EB 580 SLOWS FROM HACIENDA DR...ALTERNATE ROUTE: ISABEL AVENUE TO JACK LONDON BLVD
Patch readers stuck in traffic report on our Facebook page that it took some folks two hours to get to the outlets center — from Pleasanton.
Other readers also reported seeing people parking at the Dublin Target across the freeway, and walking across the Fallon Road overpass to get to the Livermore outlets.
Some readers who were stuck in traffic decided to head back home.
For more Livermore outlets coverage click here.
But laws are made by people and interpreted by them, too, which makes them very flawed. It wasn't until recently that even homosexuality was outlawed and the local police in places like Texas were busting people they saw in acts as innocent as holding hands and kissing in public. And before then, it was also illegal for whites and non-white peoples to date and even marry, and police in Virginia used to bust them when they were caught showing affection in public. So whatever makes you feel safe and allows you to sleep at night. But we need to watch those that also watch over us and keep them on their toes and make sure that not only are they "minding their p's and q's" but the rest of the alphabet, too. Community policing also requires that we "police" the Police to make sure that they are treating everybody in their jurisdiction equally and fairly. If there is one person amongst us in this community that is being harassed by any official, even in a Police Officer's uniform, then that should be regarded that everybody in this community is not safe. Furthermore, we can not allow the Police to use private property for their own purposes, which in itself is not only trespassing, but may also be theft and unlawful conversion of property. The only time police should be on private property is if they are at the invitation of the owner or investigating a crime on that property, not to conduct "speed traps".
Much of the problem lies with the configuration of Stanley/First/Sunol Boulevard and that while commuters still insist on taking First between Stanley and Sunol Boulevard, the Pleasanton Police Department has their District 3 officers using the route as a "revenue corridor", with speed traps at and near Graham-Hitch or at that abandoned stand across the street after it becomes Stanley Boulevard. There is another trap at the park by the Seniors Center at the corner of Bernal and Sunol Boulevard and then another around Santa Rosa and Sunol, with the PPD using both the Raley's parking lot and the California Pool parking lot and alley behind the building as their perch, especially when it is dark before 7:00am. Valley/Bernal as alternates leave much to be desired. Bernal is two lane south of Stanley and Sunol Boulevard and like First is going through a residential area. Valley is fine until Santa Rita, and then goes two-lane through a residential area until you hit Bernal on the west side, and then you have the expanded Bernal from Sunol Boulevard to I-680. Stoneridge, on the other hand, is a 4-lane+ street from Santa Rita all the way to Foothill and is 40 mph through much of that. Stoneridge east of Santa Rita is a two-lane road going through a residential area, which is not good for commuting through.
I'd think they would have pulled their heads out of the sand and done a better job with entry points including dedicated turn/access lanes from the freeways. I can't wait for the outlet mall to flop once the newness wears off. Once people understand they are purchasing Walmart quality products at Macy's prices the traffic will subside.
I guess we'll see on Monday if it's just because of the grand opening sales or whether we are in for an extended cut off from Pleasanton/Dublin/all points west during mall hours. Right now if you want to go to Pleasanton it's actually twice as fast to head over 84 and come back up 680!
Hey LPD, when you close one of two entrances to a brand new mall during its grand opening, it would be nice if you put up a simple sign that says "ONLY ENTRANCE TO THE MALL" at the only entrance to the mall parking lot. And I wasn't the only one to get suckered. While I was waiting in line to register for the event, there were not one, not two, but THREE other parties that had also taken the 'round the airport tour! I gotta hand it to the crew in the parking lot though - a very efficient operation. Once into the lot we were parked within minutes. Reminded me of concert parking.
I just see more traffic in our future. Not just for Livermore folks, but for Pleasanton and Dublin as well. I don't know that this was thought out very well honestly. I want my quiet little city back already. I'm not a mall fan. But Stoneridge was working just fine for me. So to me, this just sucks.