California Toll Roads

Overview

How and When to Use the I-880 / SR 237

Express Lanes have limited entry and exit points. Driving from southbound on I-880:  enter the express lane in Milpitas, south of Dixon Landing Road.  As you continue westbound on SR 237 towards Mountain View the double white lines will end after the North First Street exit. Toll paying drivers have until Lawrence Expressway to exit the carpool lane. Traveling eastbound on SR 237: enter the express lane between North First Street and Zanker Road. The double white line striping begins just after Zanker Road and continues through northbound I-880 ending south of Dixon Landing Road in Milpitas.  Toll paying drivers have until Dixon Landing Road to exit the carpool lane. Express lanes operate the same hours as carpool lanes with an exception of an extended hour on westbound SR 237 from 5am until 10am. Eastbound commute hours will remain 5am-9am. The afternoon hours in both directions remain 3pm-7pm. During non-operational hours anyone can use express lanes. Drivers must always adhere, however,  to the limited entry and exits and may not cross the double solid white lines. The double white lines are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of carpool or express lane hours of operation.

Important: When you see HOV Only on the gantry sign over the carpool/express lane it means solo drivers may not use the HOV/express lane unless they are driving a motorcycle or clean air vehicle with  applicable decals. The operation is fully electronic. There are no tollbooths or traffic gates, so customers do not need to slow down or stop to make a toll payment.

History

The SR 237/I-880 Express Connectors project opened to tolling operations on March 20, 2012. The California Transportation Foundation awarded the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s SR 237 express lanes as Project of the Year in May 2013.

Overview

How and when to use the I-15

More than 20 access points are available to enter or exit the Express Lanes. Five direct access ramps are available to drivers in order to enter and exit the Express Lanes from transit stations along I-15. These transit stations are also Park and Ride stations for those looking to use the Express Lanes as carpoolers, vanpoolers, and transit riders.

The Express Lanes are for solo drivers who do not mind paying in order to have faster and smoother travel. They are open 24/7 for drivers traveling in both directions.

History

The I-15 Express Lanes are an expressway within a freeway created to free up congestion for commuters and others. The award-winning I-15 Express Lanes are some of the most advanced in the United States and is the most innovative highway in San Diego County.

Overview

How and when to use the I-110 Express Lanes

The I-110 and I-10 Metro Express Lanes are open 24/7 and are separated from the general purpose lanes by double solid white lines. They are great for solo drivers looking for a faster and smoother ride. The fine for crossing the double solid white lines is a minimum of $491. If you use the lane illegally and are caught by Metro cameras, you'll be billed for the toll and required to pay a fine.

Important: When HOV Only  is displayed on the gantry sign over the carpool/express lane it means solo drivers may not use the HOV/express lanes.

History

The Express Lanes opened for operation in 2012.

Overview

How and when to use the I-680 SMART Carpool Lanes

When to Use:  Ideal for solo drivers who want a more reliable trip on southbound I-680 and eastbound I-580 during the week. The lanes provide more reliable travel time and are recommended for those commuting between the East Bay and Silicon Valley. The Express Lanes are open from Mondays to Fridays from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. At nights and on weekends they are free and open to all drivers. 

Solo drivers who want a more reliable trip on southbound I-680 and eastbound I-580 need to obtain and mount a FasTrak toll tag on their windshield. They are charged a toll each time they choose to use the Express Lanes. Carpool vehicles with two or more people, motorcycles and transit buses can use the lanes for free. Those without a valid FasTrak are in violation of state law and subject to a fine.The operation is fully electronic. There are no tollbooths or traffic gates, so customers do not need to slow down or stop to make a toll payment.

History

Opened in 2010 the I-680 Southbound Express Lanes  are Northern California’s first high occupancy toll (HOT) or express lane facility.  Located between State Route 84 and State Route 237 it was designed to manage growing traffic congestion on I-680 and provide a new commuter option between the East Bay and Silicon Valley.