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I-680 SOUTHBOUND EXPRESS LANE PROJECT (Widening/Rehabilitation/ HOV/HOT)


What is an "Express" Lane?



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An Express Lane, also referred to as a High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane, is a designated lane motorists driving alone can use if they pay a toll, allowing them to avoid traffic delays in the adjacent regular lanes. HOT lanes usually are combined with High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV or carpool) lanes that have enough capacity to handle more vehicles. Toll-paying drivers and toll-free carpools/vanpools share the lane, increasing the number of total vehicles using the HOV/HOT lane.

Buffer


The I-680 Express Lane will be separated from mixed flow traffic by a striped buffer area (see figure above) and will have designated entrances and exit (see figures below).
enterance exit
The I-680 Southbound Express Lane will be operated and administered by the Sunol Smart Carpool Lane Joint Powers Authority (SSCLJPA) made up of the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (ACCMA), the Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority, and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. For additional information and toll information see SSCLJPA website at:

http://680expresslane.org/index.html

For questions related to the Express Lane contact info@680expresslane.org

or MTC's website at:

http://www.mtc.ca.gov/planning/hov/faq.htm.


General Construction Information

The project is constructed under multiple construction contracts. Construction began in October 2008 and traffic has been using the new Express Lane since September 2010. The contracts continue after that to monitor and maintain the system.

Contract 1 - Roadway

The first contract was awarded to Bay Cities Construction. Construction started in October 2008 and was completed in September 2010. This segment is from Grimmer Boulevard (just south of Auto Mall/ Durham Road) to Mission Boulevard (Route 238). The scope included a new auxiliary lane between Washington Blvd. and Auto Mall Parkway, new retaining walls, widening of existing Mission Blvd. (Route 238) bridge on the southbound side, widening of southbound I-680 to upgrade existing lanes and re-paving of all southbound lanes within the project boundary. In conjunction with the other contracts, the HOV lane was converted to an Express (HOT/HOV) Lane.

Contract 2 - Roadway

The second contract was delayed due to funding issues. Construction began May 2009. This segment is from Mission Blvd. (Route 238) to Stoneridge Drive . The scope includes new retaining walls, widening of existing Vargas Road bridge on the southbound side, widening of southbound I-680 to upgrade existing lanes from Vargas Road to Mission Boulevard (Route 238) and re-paving of all southbound lanes between Koopman Road and Mission Blvd. (Route 238). In conjunction with the other contracts, the HOV lane was converted to an Express (HOT/HOV) Lane.

Contract 3 - Roadway

The third contract was delayed due to funding issues. Construction began May 2009 and was completed in October 2010. This segment is from Calaveras Boulevard (Route 237) to Grimmer Blvd. The scope included new auxiliary lanes between Mission Blvd. (Route 262) and Scott Creek Road and between Scott Creek Road and Jacklin Road, new retaining walls, widening of Calaveras Blvd. (Route 237) bridge, Jacklin Road bridge, and three existing bridges on the southbound side, and re-paving of all southbound lanes between north of Scott Creek to Grimmer Blvd. In conjunction with the other contracts, the HOV lane was converted to an Express (HOT/HOV) Lane.

Contract 4 - Express Lane Implementation

This contract will provide the electronic toll system and signing needed to operate the Express Lane. This will be completed concurrently with the roadway contracts to ensure a successful opening of the system to traffic. It will continue to be monitored.

Contract 5 - Environmental Mitigation

This contract provides required mitiation for the I-680 southbound construction project. Construction began in July 2010. The project creates a pond to serve as a wetland area and includes planting over 500 trees including California Bay, California buckeye, coast live oak and black walnut.

Contract 6 - Landscape

This contract provides landscaping along the I-680 corridor. Construction is expected to begin in 2014.

Construction Progress and Traffic Impacts

Near Term (as of 8/15/11)

Southbound roadway construction is being completed by the end of 2011. Expect night time lane closures along the corridor for paving and other activities.

Off the roadway, an environmental mitigation site is being constructed on the northbound side north of Durham Road. Expect earthmoving activities and truck access from the freeway.

The Express Lane is now open. For more information about the Express Lane, please go to http://www.680expresslane.org

Please remember to Slow for the Cone Zone.

Construction Progress and Traffic Impacts


Near Term (next 3 months)

In anticipation of the new Express Toll Lane that will soon open, starting on Thursday, September 9, through Sunday, September 19, crews will begin placing new double white stripes that separate the Interstate 680 Express Lane from the regular lanes, and will also place access zones where drivers can enter or exit the Express Lane. No tolls will be charged during this period, and the lane will continue to operate as a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) or carpool lane. Many of the changes will be in place for the morning commute by Monday, September 13th between Washington Boulevard and Route 237.

On 5 a.m. on Sept. 20, the Express Lane will officially open. For more information about the Express Lane, please go to http://www.680expresslane.org

Please remember to Slow for the Cone Zone.

Between Auto Mall and Mission Boulevard (Route 238):

  • Replace pavement slabs during nightime closures - work is complete in this segment.
  • Construction of retaining walls between Washington and Auto Mall is complete.
  • Bridge work at Mission Boulevard (Route 238) is complete.
  • Shoulder work between Mission (Route 238) and Automall is complete
  • Construction of retaining walls between Palm and Washington is complete.
  • Median barrier reconstruction between Mission Boulevard (Route 238) to South of Washington is complete.
  • Southbound auxiliary lane from Washington to Auto Mall opened on November 20, 2009.
  • Paving is complete.
  • Final striping for Express Lane is expected in the Fall 2010.


    • Between Mission Boulevard (Route 238) and Koopman Road:

  • The contract was approved and construction began in May 2009.
  • Temporary barriers along the freeway are in place.
  • Replace pavement slabs during nightime closures began June 2009 and is complete.
  • Construction of retaining walls are nearing completion.
  • Bridge work at Vargas Road is nearing completion.
  • Paving, drainage, and replacement of barriers in progress.
  • Final striping for Express Lane is expected in the Fall 2010.


    • Between Calaveras Boulevard (Route 237) and Auto Mall Parkway:

  • The contract was approved and construction began in May 2009.
  • Temporary barriers along the freeway are in place.
  • Replace pavement slabs during nightime closures began June 2009 and is complete.
  • Construction of retaining walls in progress and nearing completion.
  • Bridge work at Calaveras Boulevard, Jacklin Road and Warren Avenue in progress and nearing completion.
  • Paving to continue through September 2010.
  • Final striping for Express Lane is expected in the Fall 2010.

    • Expect night time lane closures along the corridor for paving and other activities