New I-680 Express Lanes Proposed
OAKLAND, CA — The Metropolitan Transportation Commission's (MTC) Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority (BAIFA) affiliate and Caltrans propose to convert to express lanes the existing high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on Interstate 680 from Rudgear Road to Alcosta Blvd. in the southbound direction and from Alcosta Blvd. to Livorna Road in the northbound direction. Like traditional HOV lanes, express lanes are free for carpools, vanpools, buses and other eligible vehicles, while also allowing access for solo drivers who choose to pay a toll to use the lane. The price will vary depending on congestion levels.
The goals of express lanes are to best use HOV lane capacity, provide a more reliable travel option and keep traffic moving.
Lisa Klein, Express Lanes Program Manager for MTC, states that “Traffic projections for the year 2015 indicate speeds in the general purpose lanes will decrease about five miles per hour in the morning peak period (5 a.m. to 9 a.m.) and 10 miles per hour during the evening peak (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.). As the regional transportation planning agency, it’s our responsibility to explore all potential transportation improvement options to keep the region’s traffic moving.”
What’s Involved
Converting the existing HOV lanes into express lanes will involve installing tolling equipment (electronic toll tag readers) and signage as well as upgrading CHP enforcement capabilities. This proposed project would result in 23 express lane miles through San Ramon, Danville, Alamo and southern Walnut Creek. No freeway widening would occur as part of this project.
Public Open House
BAIFA invites the public to attend an informational meeting to learn more, review project plans, talk with project team members and provide input.
Thursday, January 30, 2014 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
San Ramon Community Center at Central Park
12501 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon, CA 94583
Online Open House
For those who can’t make the meeting, BAIFA is also hosting an online public meeting at www.BAIFAexpresslanes.org. The online public meeting will begin January 30 and will be open for two weeks, closing February 13. The online format allows the public a convenient way to participate in the discussion, view project information and provide input. Once on the project website, click the link to view the online open house.
Bay Area Express Lanes
MTC envisions that the Bay Area will have 550 miles of authorized express lanes by 2035. BAIFA will develop, implement and operate 270 miles of these lanes by first converting 150 miles of existing HOV lanes to express lanes and later adding 120 miles of new lanes to close key gaps in the express lane system. In addition to Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol, network partners include the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), FasTrak®, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and the Solano Transportation Authority (STA).
BAIFA is a Joint Powers Authority between MTC and the Bay Area Toll Authority. It includes elected officials from Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa and Solano counties. Each of the Authority members also serves as an MTC Commissioner.
How to Reach Us
Visit www.BAIFAexpresslanes.org or contact MTC Public Information at (415) 778-6757.
Contact:
John Goodwin: (415) 778-6757