Bay Area traffic carpool express lanes

On Sept. 20, after a two-year wait, the I-680 interstate corridor solo use toll lane--the first of its kind in the Bay Area--will open for business. Interstate 680 commuters southbound into San Jose will have a new option to beat the ever-present traffic jam in this 14-mile stretch of highway.

By paying the toll electronically via FasTrak tag, solo drivers will be able to use this new express lane, while motorcycles, transit vehicles, hybrids with valid stickers and carpoolers can continue to use it for free. If this experiment goes well, California may institute an additional 800 miles of carpool lanes in future.

Those who open a new FasTrak account by Oct. 20 will receive a $10 credit for use on the new I-680 express lane. The credit only can be applied until Nov. 20, and is only valid for this lane. Other funds you apply to FasTrak can be used on other toll areas around the Bay Area.

There is no definitive word yet on pricing. The amount of the toll will vary "depending on available capacity of the smart carpool lane," according to a press release. In other words, the more demand on the lane, the higher the toll will be. Whatever the toll is for any given time will be displayed in real-time on an electronic sign at the lane entrance. The driver will have to make a quick decision to either enter the lane and pay or stay in the regular lanes.

The express lane will be open to paying traffic only Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the remaining hours are open for anyone to use. This change may take some getting used to for Bay Area residents used to limited carpool lane hours during morning and evening commute times. However, the time-savings for commuters into San Jose will likely curtail any adjustment pains.

Entry locations for the express lane are in Sunol, one mile south of Highway 84, past Mission Boulevard north, near Auto Mall Parkway, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Exits will be around Jacklin Road and south of 237.

Sources:

www.discovery.org/a/7751

www.680expresslane.org/Articles_&_Press_Releases.asp

www.mercurynews.com/mr-roadshow/ci_15974973?nclick_check=1