So why is the OCTA so adamant that the existing HOV lane not be converted to a HOT lane? Are they afraid toll-paying solo drivers would clog the lane? It's not like they're losing a lane during non-commute hours because the HOV lane on I-405 is buffer-separated and operates 24/7.
The cities along the 405 corridor are anti-toll, and the board members which represent those cities bring that view to the table. This attitude seems to have carried over to the entire OCTA board, which is surprising given the success of the 91 express lanes which that agency operates, and the huge amount of money it generates. I think there is also a lack of general understanding that this would be a HOT lane, and would not operate like the 91 express lanes.
Loss of access is actually also a concern, as the proposal right now would eliminate the number of access openings on that segment of I-405 by about half.
That last point I made is the primary reason why I'm not thrilled about the HOV to HOT conversions being discussed up here in the S.F. Bay Area.
Actually, the Bay Area express lanes will operate with mostly continuous access; there will be places where people will not be able to get in and out, but for the most part, they will be able to. In fact, one of the first conversion projects, on I-680 in the San Ramon Valley, will not incorporate any access restrictions at all.
There has been some talk about possibly incorporating a more open access approach on I-405 in order to address the access concern issues.