The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in California today announced the opening of 11 miles of new carpool lane capacity to motorists on southbound I-680 (SB I-680) between Treat Boulevard and Rudgear Road.
The project opens to the public today on budget and a year ahead of schedule. Part of the I-680 Southbound Express Lane Project, this new segment creates a 25-mile continuous carpool lane on SB I-680 between Martinez and San Ramon.
The project broke ground in October 2018 and was originally anticipated to open to traffic in late 2021. Earlier this year the CCTA adopted an accelerated project schedule, enabling the lane to open to the public as a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) 2+ carpool lane while the MTC continues to install and test the tolling equipment. According to CCTA, the new lane provides more reliable travel for transit, carpools, and vanpools on SB I-680 and represents the culmination of a highly successful collaborative multi-agency effort.
"The voters of Contra Costa County have shown that they value better transportation options and congestion relief on the I-680 corridor," CCTA Board Chair Julie Pierce said in a statement. "We are thrilled to be delivering this new carpool lane on-budget and ahead of schedule, and we're very grateful to project neighbors and the motoring public for their patience as we completed this project in record time."
The new SB I-680 HOV 2+ carpool lane will operate at designated weekday hours. During these times, only 2+ person carpools and eligible clean air vehicles can use the far-left lane from Marina Vista Avenue to Rudgear Road. FasTrak signs are in place on this lane while toll testing occurs to prepare for an early 2021 express lane opening.
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SOURCE: Contra Costa Transportation Authority
