Overview

Metro, Caltrans, and other mobility partners are working together to develop a package of solutions that will increase traffic flow and provide better travel options on I-10 and I-110 in Los Angeles County. ExpressLanes is a pilot project that will test innovations to improve existing transportation systems.

The Project Goal is to improve mobility and provide congestion relief on I-10 and I-110 corridors through the introduction of congestion pricing by converting High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, improvement of transit service and other alternatives to driving, improvements to transit facilities, and the implementation of an intelligent parking management system in downtown Los Angeles. 

The ExpressLanes one-year demonstration project is unique because it offers improved transportation options and the new choice to pay to travel in a carpool lane. General purpose lanes are not tolled. The aim of the program is to foster incentives for sustainable change that creates time savings, cost savings, reduces pollution, and effectively manages our current roadway network – basic essential elements of a green corridor.

ExpressLanes features include:

• Conversion of the I-10 El Monte Busway HOV lanes (I-605 to Alameda St.) to HOT lanes
• Conversion of the I-110 Harbor Transitway HOV lanes (Artesia Transit Center to Adams Blvd.) to HOT lanes
• 57 new clean expansion buses and operating subsidy for the demo period 
• El Monte Transit Center Expansion
• New Transit Station at Patsaouras Plaza
• Harbor Transitway Park & Ride Upgrades
• Metrolink Pomona Station Expansion
• Transit Signal Priority Expanded in Downtown LA
• 100 New Metro Vanpools
• New expansion bicycle lockers at the Artesia Transit Center & El Monte Transit Center
• ExpressPark
• New Bus Maintenance Facility in Downtown LA
• Budget - $290 million
• Construction begins: 2011

The Plan

Who?

Metro and Caltrans along with local mobility partners: Foothill Transit Agency, Gardena Transit, Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) and Torrance Transit.

What?

A one-year demonstration project of converting High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes – we call them ExpressLanes.

When?

Construction begins in 2011.

Where?

On I-10 El Monte Busway between Alameda St. and I-605. The general purpose lanes on I-10 will not be tolled. On I-110 Harbor Transitway between Adams Blvd. and Artesia Transit Center. The general purpose lanes on I-110 will not be tolled.

Why?

These facilities need reduced congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, increased travel time savings, and better trip reliability. The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $210 million grant for the Demonstration Project.

How?

Congestion Pricing

• Dynamic Pricing - Tolls are continually adjusted according to traffic conditions to maintain a free-flowing level of traffic on the HOT lanes. (General purpose lanes are not tolled.) Prices increase when the HOT lanes get relatively full and decrease when the HOT lanes get less full.

Roadway Improvements

• Re-stripe between I-605 and I-710 on I-10 El Monte Busway to create a second HOT Lane
• Widen Adams Blvd. & Re-stripe I-110 Adams off-ramp to create a 2nd right-hand turning lane
• Create new HOT access transition lanes between I-110 HOT lanes and I-110 general purpose lanes to smooth the flow of traffic into and out of the HOT lanes

Increased Transit Service & Vanpools

• Purchase of 57 alternative fuel buses for ExpressLanes
• Increased transit service on I-10 and I-110 ExpressLanes
• Formation of 100 new vanpools on I-10 and I-110 ExpressLanes

Transit Station Improvements

• I-10 El Monte Busway ExpressLanes
  • Expansion of El Monte Transit Center including bike lockers
  • Direct connection at Patsaouras Plaza
  • Expansion of the Pomona Metrolink Station parking lot and platform
• I-110 Harbor Transitway ExpressLanes
  • Sheriff Substation and Bike Lockers at the Artesia Transit Center
  • Lighting, CCTV, and other enhancements at Park & Ride Lots along the Harbor Transitway including new bus stops

  Intelligent Parking Management

  • Demand-based parking rates at meters in Downtown LA