VTA Hopes to Debut New 'Express Lanes' by End of February

In an effort to better meet the demands of Silicon Valley's heavily congested roadways, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will implement the first of three projects under the Silicon Valley Express Lanes Program as soon as February. 

Carpool Lanes will Become 'Express Lanes'

Carpool lanes at the State Route (SR) 237 and I-880 interchange in Milpitas will be converted to "express lanes" to provide a more effective use of the existing concept and a new mobility option for solo drivers, VTA spokesperson Brandi Childress said last week.

Through the use of the new express lanes, solo drivers will be able to pay their way into the lanes formerly reserved for carpoolers, or vehicles with two or more passengers.

"The SR 237 Express Lanes will provide relief to all commuters passing through this highly congested interchange in northern Santa Clara County," Childress described.

Individuals who are driving alone will have the option to use the lane for a fee, while vehicles carrying at least two people and other eligible users can continue to use the express lanes for free.  Tolls for solo drivers will vary based on the level of congestion and "will be adjusted to maintain a free-flowing ride in the express lanes," Childress said.

If weather conditions cooperate, Childress said VTA hopes to debut the new express lanes on Feb. 27.

Changes to Roadways Coming Soon

In preparation for the change to express lanes, new striping on SR 237 will replace the familiar dotted lines currently used for carpool lanes, in order to differentiate express lanes from general purpose lanes.   

In late January, a two-foot wide buffer zone featuring double, solid-white lines will be in place. Childress said, if weather permits, VTA hopes to complete painting of the new striping overnight on Jan. 26-27.

“The double-solid is there to provide a buffer between the express lane and the general purpose lane,” said California Highway Patrol (CHP) Lieutenant Spencer Boyce.  “It is a moving violation for any driver to cross over the double, solid-white lines, and can result in a ticket.”

The new striping will also indicate limited express lane entry and exit points.  Commuters driving southbound I-880 can enter the express lane in Milpitas, south of Dixon Landing Road, and continue westbound on SR 237 toward Mountain View, ending after the North First Street exit.  Toll-paying drivers will have until Lawrence Expressway to exit the carpool lane. 

In the opposite direction, eastbound SR 237 from Mountain View toward San Jose, commuters can enter the express lane between North First Street and Zanker Road, and continue to northbound I-880. The express lane will end just south of Dixon Landing Road in Milpitas where toll paying drivers will have until then to exit the carpool lane.

Since the express lanes have limited entry and exit points, Childress advised individual drivers to plan ahead and determine if express lanes work for their commutes. 

The YouTube video included with this article explains how to use the new Express Lanes.

The new striping will affect three groups of commuters as follows and as indicated by the map included in the photo section of this article:

• Carpoolers traveling on southbound I-880 to westbound SR 237 cannot exit at Zanker Road or North First Street from the express lane. Access is available through the general purpose lanes or by exiting at Great America Parkway.

• Carpoolers entering eastbound SR 237 from Zanker Road will not be able to enter the express lane.  Access is available at North First Street.

• Carpoolers entering westbound SR 237 from Calaveras Boulevard, McCarthy Ranch Boulevard, and Zanker Road cannot access the express lane until after North First Street.

Express Lane Hours, Signage and Tolls

Signage has been placed to advise commuters of approaching express lanes, and subsequent signs will indicate the current toll rates. These rates will vary depending on the time of day and level of congestion in the express lane. 

Express lanes will operate during the same hours as carpool lanes, with the exception of an extended hour in the morning on westbound SR 237 only, from 5-10 a.m.  Commute hours will remain the same on the eastbound morning commute, from 5-9 a.m., and the afternoon commutes in both directions, from 3-7 p.m.

Tolls will be collected electronically using FasTrak technology already in use on Bay Area bridges and express lanes throughout California.  Revenue from these tolls remains in Santa Clara County and will be used for operation, maintenance, enforcement costs and transit improvements within the corridors. 

When a car equipped with a FasTrak transponder passes under an express lane antenna, the antenna will read the transponder, and the correct toll will automatically be deducted from the prepaid FasTrak account. 

You can get your FasTrak transponder online from www.bayareafastrak.org, or from one of several retail locations throughout the Bay Area, including select Costco, Walgreens, and Safeway stores. 

You will need to register your transponder and set up a prepaid account through www.bayareafastrak.org, or by calling 1-877-229-8655.  After you have registered and prepaid your FasTrak account, you can place your transponder in your vehicle and begin using the new express lanes. 

For more information, visit www.vta.org/expresslanes, e-mail community.outreach@vta.org, or call VTA Community Outreach at 408-321-7575.