101 retains several expressway sections, and I am not aware of a unified corridor effort to convert all remaining expressway sections to freeway. Having said that, some notable expressway segments such as the one at Prunedale have been undergoing freeway improvements.
The 101 changes through Prunedale are mostly complete. There are now still grade intersections, but no crossovers between the end of the expressway section north of Salinas, and CA 156 east, with the exception of Rocks Road (the eucalyptus grove), which I don't think is going away. So I don't know what I'd call that. "Pretend freeway"?
The expressway section just north of that, between CA 129 and Monterey Road in Gilroy, has not had any improvements, but is a truly dangerous stretch of road, mostly because of commuter traffic from Hollister merging from CA 25, and farm traffic that uses the side roads still accessed by grade intersections. That section is slated for improvement by, of all organizations, Valley Transit Authority, but is as of yet unfunded. They're trying to get Caltrans to (rightfully, I think) pay for it. The corridor is just sub-standard for the traffic it receives and is quickly deteriorating.
Of these, I think 198 is the only one that really makes sense because it provides a connector between I-5 and CA 99, but I think it just needs to be an expressway, if that. Really all that needs to be done is improvements to the I-5 interchange, improvements (probably an interchange) at CA 269, and removing the San Joaquin Valley Railroad crossing just west of the freeway's end.
I mean, a freeway to Corcoran? Is that really necessary?