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Ms. Ayala asked if the signal would be installed as the new Vineyard Avenue is constructed? Mr. Knowles said it is a separate issue. Staff could send a letter to Signature at any time to indicate it is time to build the signal. Ms. Michelotti thought that was already in the works. Mr. Knowles said staff had been discussing it, but Public Works has not notified Signature Properties yet. Sgt. Rawlings (sp?) with the California Highway Patrol indicated the CHP is very concerned with safety. He referred to Mr. Knowles remark that there are fewer collisions on freeways, however they are more severe. Stopping distances at 30 mph is 164 feet. Stopping distance at 60 mph is 303 feet. He cited a big rig collision on westbound 580 a few years ago just before 680 and noted the fatalities. He was concerned about traffic backing onto northbound 680 as a result of this metering. He referred to injuries sustained from a rear end collision. He said traffic on 680 goes over a hill and around a right curve just before the Sunol exit. If there is congestion there, there is a greater danger of an accident. The CHP also has a philosophy of getting cars off the roadway and onto the shoulder as soon as possible so another collision is not caused. He said people should consider inconvenience or safety. Inconvenience to a few residents exiting at Sunol or safety of all the users of the freeway. Ms. Ayala asked if he had observed the freeway offramp since metering started. Sgt. Rawlings said he had. He had a video of the area and there is congestion. Not severe, but you must remember there is an economic downtown, but it will improve and there will be more traffic on 680. He felt the Bernal off ramp would be better for metering because you can see farther down the highway. He felt Sunol was a bad choice because of the configuration of the freeway. It doesn't give a motorist much time to observe the situation and stop safely. Ms. Ayala asked if there were a concern about the shoulder of the road at Sunol. Sgt. Rawlings said it was. CHP officers use shoulders to put damaged cars on and to make enforcement contacts. Mr. Campbell asked if he was at the meeting on his own or at the direction of his Commander. Sgt. Rawlings said his Commander asked him to come to the meeting and to monitor the area. He felt Council should see the video to really understand what happens in that area. Ron Bissinger, Vintage Hills, agreed with the CHP officer. He said he drives the route daily and has experience the backup. He was concerned about the backup in this area especially when winter arrives and it is dark. He felt there could be liability to the City in the event of a Pleasanton City Council Special Meeting Minutes 8 08/22/02