Since 2008 the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has been implementing the Silicon Valley Express Lanes Program to provide congestion relief through more efficient use of existing roadways. The Express Lanes program is a countywide conversion of 180 miles of existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV or carpool) lanes.
Express lanes (also known as High Occupancy Toll or “HOT” Lanes) allow solo drivers the option to use the lanes for a fee. All eligible carpool vehicles including clean air vehicles with applicable decals , motorcycles, and transit buses will continue to use the lanes free of charge. Fees from solo drivers are collected electronically using FasTrak electronic toll collection technology already used on San Francisco Bay Area Bridges and elsewhere in California. Tolls are based on the level of congestion and are adjusted to maintain a free flow of traffic. Enforcement will be provided by the California Highway Patrol.
VTA has converted existing HOV lanes on State Route (SR) 237 and I-880 direct connectors which opened on March 20, 2012. VTA is actively developing project studies and environmental documentation for the proposed conversion of HOV lanes to express lanes on SR 85 and US 101.
For specific express lane project information, scroll over the interactive map below and select the highlighted link to be redirected to the project page.
Congressman Mike Honda:
“The 237 Express Lanes Connector project will provide immediate benefit to all who commute to jobs in northern Santa Clara County, passing through the highly congested 880/237 interchange in Milpitas. For many years, this has been a major “choke point” in the daily commute. Having the option to access the express lanes when needed to bypass the congestion could make all the difference in getting you to an important meeting on time, not being charged a late day-care pick up fee, or just starting the day less stressed by your drive to work.”
The Bay Area was introduced to express lanes in September 2010, with the opening of a 14-mile stretch of express lanes that runs along southbound Interstate 680, from Highway 84 to Highway 237. The last 3 miles of the 680 project are in Santa Clara County and VTA participated in that project as well."
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