Caltrans is studying a plan to widen 16 miles of Interstate 80 through Solano and Yolo counties, over the Yolo Bypass. Initially, the plan called for a carpool lane, but uncertainty about funding makes a toll lane a possibility.
A Caltrans plan would build a 16-mile high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction from Dixon in Solano County through Davis and West Sacramento in Yolo County to the Sacramento River, report Kellen Browning and Tony Bizjak for The Sacramento Bee on June 4. [See Caltrans June 2014 "preliminary investigation" of the corridor improvement project.]
Perhaps the most challenging section would be the Yolo Causeway, the 3-mile elevated bridge and berm that crosses the Yolo floodplain [aka Yolo Bypass] between Davis and West Sacramento.
The project could cost $400 million. Caltrans plans to apply for state and federal grants to cover the cost.
However, if sufficient funding is not secured, Caltrans will consider a high occupancy toll (HOT) lane, aka express lane, as an alternative, "and if an economic analysis shows a toll lane makes sense."
Total cost for the project was described in a KCRA article last November as $1 billion, which involved "adding a carpool-bus flyover to bypass a congested interchange," and $800 million by FOX 40 on June 4.
Browning and Bizjak note that there are no toll lanes or toll bridges in the region.
The state has toll lanes in Northern California on I-680 and I-580, both in the East Bay. Toll prices change depending on congestion levels. In 2016, the average price per trip on the I-680 toll lane was $2.47.
Cyclists who travel between Davis and Sacramento on the narrow and noisy path on the Yolo Causeway would also see major relief, according to KCRA.
The project also includes removing the existing bike path attached to the westbound causeway, creating a separate bike-pedestrian path that will be safer and separate from I-80.
Construction for the widening would start in 2024, "at the earliest," according to FOX 40. The KCRA article notes the importance of the gas tax increase (SB 1 funds) passed by the legislature last year, the one likely to appear as a repeal initiative in the fall.
Caltrans will hold three public meetings on the project on June 6, June 14, and June 21 in Davis, West Sacramento and Sacramento, respectively, listed in the source article.
Hat tip to MTC News Headlines.
FULL STORY: Toll lanes on the Yolo Causeway? State begins tackling I-80 bottlenecks with creative ideas
More Toll Lanes Coming to California Freeways
Solo drivers in the Golden State will have more options to escape traffic congestion on busy freeways – for a price, as transportation agencies increasing decide to convert existing carpool lanes to high-occupancy toll lanes and add new ones.
Tollways for Sacramento?
Road pricing terminology can be confusing, particularly since Californians see so little of it. For example, a Sacramento TV station calls proposed express lanes on Interstate 80 from Solano County to Sacramento a ‘tollway.’
When Carpool Lanes Cause Mayhem
A newly widened Bay Area freeway serves as a reminder of the futility of HOV lanes. There are better ways to manage and mitigate traffic.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
Mamdani overhauls NYC's Vision Zero plan with 100 new policy goals
The overhaul aims to reduce traffic deaths and make streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers through lower speed limits, new safety infrastructure and more.
Amtrak not solely to blame for New Jersey commuter rail's unreliability, report finds
A new study from the Garden State Initiative found that NJ Transit’s budget grew 20% across a 4 year period, but reliability declined significantly over the same period.
EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants
Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association