$139 million I-880 toll project should open in the summer
Q Gary, any idea when the Interstate 880 toll lane project will be completed? What did the project cost? And how long will it take to recoup the cost with tolls?
— Richard Rowell, Fremont
A
I-880 express lanes are scheduled to open late summer 2020. The project cost is $139 million. The express lanes are intended primarily to improve traffic flow for buses and carpools, which travel free in that lane, and to offer a reliable commute for toll-paying drivers. Toll revenue is used to pay for lane operations and maintenance, rather than to recoup construction costs.
Q
I find it difficult to get concerned about the pushing back of opening dates for BART service to San Jose when the people of Livermore have paid extra taxes on BART since its inception in the 1970s, but San Jose is going to get service first.
— Midge Lewis, Castro Valley
A
The original plan was to build a nearly 5-mile BART extension along I-580 to a station in the vicinity of the Isabel Avenue/I-580 interchange, incorporating a bus to BART transfer. Those plans have been scrapped. Santa Clara County voters approved three sales tax increases since 2000 to pay for the $2.3 billion extension from Fremont to Berryessa, which may open next year. Q I was traveling on 880 south from Oakland at 7:30 on a rainy night. It was well after carpool hours, and I was traveling in the (carpool) lane. The new express lane signs have been installed, but all have a bright orange banner across them saying that the lane is still under construction. Having passed Dixon Landing Road but before the 237 interchange (with the carpool lane flyover), I passed under one sign that did not have the orange banner. I just thought it had lost its “under construction” sign in the bad weather. Then I saw a sign looming at me that said “Express Lane — Toll $4.70 and Fine $490.” I started to move to the right lanes. I had also seen the huge backup for the right-hand exit to 237 (two lanes as well as the McCarthy Boulevard exit that allow cars to enter 237 but thought it was just heavy traffic.
I managed to move out of the express lane. The person behind me also moved. The car in front of me moved right and then (I’m guessing), deciding they could not make the exit to 237, came flying back across the freeway in front of me and across the gore point onto the flyover.
As we drove under the flyover, there were just carpool signs and cars started to move back into the carpool lane.
Why would Caltrans create an express lane only 200 feet long on a busy freeway? — Barbara Waaland, Scotts Valley A Things will change. When 880 work ends, express lane users will be able to go from Oakland to 237.