I-680 & I-880 Express Lanes

[jeffe]

Work has started on the Express Lanes between Dublin and Walnut Creek on I-680.  The project is being financed by the Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority and plans are available here:

http://bids.mtc.ca.gov/procurements/198

Preliminary work has also started on Express Lanes on I-880 from Fremont to Hayward.  This is actually a safety project to upgrade the current median barrier which is a type 50 (Jersey Barrier) that is shorter than normal due to repaving.  The new barrier will be a type 60 (Constant Slope) that will add median lighting and foundations for the tolling equipment.  According to the plans, the toll equipment itself will be installed in a different contract ("by others").

http://dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/oe/project_ads_addenda/04/04-2J0704/plans/

These Express Lanes will require a switchable FasTrak transponder (FasTrak Flex) that indicates the number of passengers.

One notable design difference is on I-880 lighting is being added to the new median, while on I-680 the new lighting is being added to the outside shoulder, possibly to reduce costs associated with median barrier modifications.

It will be interesting to see how traffic patterns change after the Bay Area has several long segments of Express Lanes.