Express Toll Lanes

Vintage filtered photo of Interstate 405 North and South sign

Toll Lane Rebellion Fails to Materialize in Southern California

The 405 Express Lanes will open in Orange County later this year despite the warnings from a former Huntington Beach mayor of a resident-led rebellion in response to road pricing. But will the toll lanes mitigate congestion? Academics weigh in.

July 25, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Interstate 55 with cars and green freeway signs in Chicago, Illinois

Illinois Legislators Pass Controversial I-55 Road Expansion Legislation

Legislation to enable the addition of express toll lanes on Interstate 55 in the Southwest Side of Chicago, opposed by environmental justice advocates, cleared the Illinois General Assembly last month.

June 7, 2023 - Chicago Tribune

Maryland Highway Plan Would Destroy Affordable Housing, Displace Low-Income Residents

A local writer compares the plan to expand I-270 and the Capital Beltway to an earlier era of transportation planning.

June 24, 2018 - Greater Greater Washington

Toll Lane Project

Expansion of Maryland Toll Lane Project Increases Cost Five-Fold to $1.1 Billion

A $210 million project to add a single, 7-mile express toll lane on Interstate 95 north of Baltimore was just expanded to two lanes for 10 miles. Financing will rely on toll revenue. Unlike HOT lanes, every motorist will pay to use the lanes.

June 19, 2018 - The Baltimore Sun

Maryland Big Toll Lanes Project Moving Forward

Judging by the private-sector interest in a plan to expand Interstate 270 and the Capital Beltway in Maryland, the state won't have any trouble finding willing partners.

January 9, 2018 - Bethesda Magazine

Popular but Controversial Seattle Express Toll Lanes Face Possible Termination

The two-year-old I-405 express toll lanes are actually a trial. It's up to the legislature to decide whether they will be permanent. Two metrics were laid out: revenue and performance, but there's controversy there as well.

December 30, 2017 - KIRO Radio

E-470 Toll

New Texas Express Lanes Pricey but Popular

In a series of articles by Austin-based KXAN-TV, reporters examine the new MoPac Express Lane, now in full operation more than two years behind schedule. Despite significant construction setbacks, the congestion-priced lanes are well-used.

November 1, 2017 - KXAN

Maryland's $9 Billion Project Would Be the Nation's Largest P3 for Highways

Gov. Larry Hogan (R-Md.) announced last week plans for the largest highway contract awarded to a public-private partnership: adding four express toll lanes to the Capital Beltway and I-270. A third highway widening will be completed internally.

September 29, 2017 - Planetizen

Toll-Paying Motorists Crowding-Out Carpoolers in Seattle Area Express Toll Lanes

The new I-405 Express Toll Lanes between Bellevue and Lynnwood might be undercharging solo commuters at $10. Carpoolers, who drive for free, are increasingly hard to spot in the lanes, according to anecdotal reports.

December 28, 2015 - The Seattle Times

Washington State's First Express Toll Lanes Open

Washington has Express Lanes on I-5 and I-90 and HOT Lanes on SR 167, but the 17 miles of lanes that opened Sunday on I-405 from Bellevue to Lynnwood will be the state's first Express Toll Lanes.

September 30, 2015 - Planetizen

Toll Lanes Continue to Spread on Southern California Freeways

To the chagrin of many Orange County transportation leaders, two express lanes will be added to each direction on a 14-mile stretch of the 405 (San Diego) Freeway, one through conversion, and a general purpose lane funded in part by Measure M added.

May 3, 2015 - KPCC

TxDOT's 'Southern Gateway' Toll Lane Proposal Encounters Local Opposition

The Texas Department of Transportation would implement tolls on two freeways as part of its "Southern Gateway Managed Lane Project." According to a recent article, the idea has not produced a positive response from locals.

January 21, 2015 - The Dallas Morning News

Citing High Rate of Adoption, Los Angeles Considers Expanded Freeway Toll Lanes

The use of toll lanes on two of the Los Angeles region's freeways has proven popular enough that county transportation planners are considering expanding the system.

November 17, 2014 - The San Gabriel Valley Tribune

HOV-to-HOT Conversion Seen as Key to Easing Congestion

Robert Poole reports on efforts across the country to reduce freeway congestion through HOV-to-HOT conversion and public-private partnerships.

February 27, 2012 - reason.com

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.