Wheel Talk: Navigating the Future of Bay Area Transit
Join Dan Lieberman and Randol White as they explore how transit agencies are working to solve public transportation challenges, improve the rider experience, and build a more connected future..
Each Wheel Talk episode features insightful conversations about navigating travel — whether on foot, by bicycle, SamTrans bus, Caltrain commuter rail, or car. Listen to in-depth interviews with transit experts, agency leaders, planners, and community advocates who share transparent insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping Bay Area mobility.
Also, once a month, check out Hop Off Here — Wheel Talk’s special series on food, festivals, and fun. From taco trucks to music festivals, we’ll help you discover the flavors, celebrations, and hidden delights waiting just beyond your stop. Think of it as your rider’s guide to making the journey as enjoyable as the destination.
Whether you’re a daily transit rider, transportation planner, or interested in sustainable, inclusive transportation solutions, Wheel Talk delivers strategic perspectives on the public transit systems that keep the Bay Area connected and moving forward.
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Wheel Talk: Navigating the Future of Bay Area Transit
Untangling the 101/92 interchange and what it means for the Peninsula
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Wheel Talk Podcast Guests (in order of appearance):
- Jeneane Crawford, Caltrans Distric 4 PIO for San Mateo County
- Jessica Manzi, San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) Director of Project Delivery
- Max Mautner, Car-free San Mateo resident
Episode overview
The Highway 101 and 92 interchange is one of the busiest and most complex transportation hubs in the Bay Area — and it’s also the focus of several major projects that often get confused with one another.
In this episode of Wheel Talk, we break down three distinct transportation efforts connected to the interchange and surrounding communities, each with its own purpose and timeline.
First, we look at a safety and bottleneck improvement project already underway, designed to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow through known trouble spots. Caltrans Public Information Officer Jeneane Crawford explains what drivers can expect during construction and how success will be measured.
Next, we examine a proposed direct connectors project that could link Highway 92 with the 101 express lanes. Still under review, this proposal has raised important community questions. San Mateo County Transportation Authority Director of Project Delivery Jess Manzi responds to public concerns and clarifies where the project stands today.
Finally, we shift the focus from cars to people with a discussion of the Fashion Island Boulevard and 19th Avenue Multimodal Improvements Project. Car-free San Mateo Resident Max Mautner explores how rethinking this vehicle-focused corridor could improve safety and access for people walking, biking, rolling, and using transit.
Three projects. Different goals. One very busy interchange — and a clearer picture of how mobility is evolving along the Peninsula.
