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All Backed Up: Plans to widen San Pablo Dam Road interchange stuck in neutral

The original plan was to widen one confusing and congested interchange off Interstate 80, San Pablo Dam Road, at a cost of $30 million in 2006. Now it’s not so simple. The current plan involves two other interchanges – El Portal to the north, which would move, and McBryde Avenue to the south, which would close. The cost of the project has ballooned to $114 million, with an $87 million shortfall. Construction can’t begin until 2012 at the earliest. And…

Before Napa, there was Winehaven

Between the San Pablo Bay and a steep ridge lined with eucalyptus trees sits a lone burgundy fortress. Sharp-eyed commuters on the San Rafael Bridge may wonder what this structure is, with its turrets and crenellated parapets.  At its feet, a long, narrow wharf stretches across the water toward San Quentin. The Vallejo ferry passes by the secluded promontory every day, but never makes a stop. A road runs through the crumbling premises, but a fence bars would-be explorers from…

Salesian’s star guard has a big impact

Cal star running back Jahvid Best still casts a giant shadow at Salesian High, his alma mater. But as for shadows, Freddie Tagaloa nearly blots out the sun. The hulking Tagaloa has played all of five varsity football games for Salesian, but is already the school’s most ballyhooed prospect since Best, who won the state 100-meter dash before heading down Interstate 80 to suit up for the Golden Bears. When Tagaloa’s name is mentioned, Salesian head football coach Chad Nightingale’s…

In Transition: Transit Village still a work in progress

Nearly a decade after the city broke ground on the Richmond Transit Village, much this development project that is key to the revitalization of downtown is still in the works.
While 132 units have been sold, unoccupied retail space has been available for months, and a $34 million garage and 99 units on the east side have yet to be constructed. For some of the residents, the village is taking shape slower than they hoped.