Closing the Gap: Bi-County HOV Lane Opening Creates Ease of Traffic

San Bernardino and Riverside County commuters may see some improvement on the freeways - in terms of congestion and ease of traffic, that is, following the opening of a carpool lane along a 7.5 mile stretch of route extending from the I-215 north of Orange Show Road in San Bernardino to just south of the 60/91 interchange. In an opening officially marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 27, officials from Caltrans, San Bernardino Associated Governments, the Riverside County Transportation Commission, the Federal Highway Administration and other local agencies gathered to celebrate the opening of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane. “This project is another example of how teamwork between Caltrans and our partners will not only bring in a project on time, but also under budget,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “These new carpool lanes will also enhance the region’s economy, goods movement and livability for years to come.” The project came in ahead of its August 2015 deadline and under its estimated $178 million budget, finishing at $135 million, said officials. Funding for the lane gap closure was provided partially by Measure I, a half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in San Bernardino County, and Measure A, a half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Riverside County, according to the SANBAG website. State and Federal funding was also pursued. The carpool lane was added through rebuilding of the outside and inside freeway shoulders and restriping lanes, according to SANBAG officials, which allowed for three general lanes and a new HOV lane in both directions. Railroad bridges were rebuilt, and bridges crossing the Union Pacific railroad tracks, the I-10 freeway and the Santa Ana River were widened, according to the project overview on the SANBAG website. "The lanes are designed to encourage ride sharing through carpools and vanpools and improve the efficiency, safety and operations of traffic moving between the two counties," according to officials with SANBAG. The new lanes extend from Orange Show Road to the interchange between the 60, 91 and 215 freeways in Riverside, crossing the cities of Colton and Grand Terrace. Data released by SANBAG shows that 80 percent of San Bernardino County commuters and 79 percent of Riverside County commuters drive to work alone each day. Commuters from San Bernardino County spend about 43 minutes each way, traveling an average of 23.3 miles in each direction, data shows. Riverside County commuters spend about 46 minutes each way, traveling 25.1 miles each way. That's about 160,000 vehicles on this stretch of the 215 daily, with an average of 10,000 vehicles per hour traveling during rush hours. Data released by SANBAG estimates that about 335,000 vehicles will travel daily in this area by 2040 - growing to 21,000 drivers per hour during peak commuting times. SANBAG officials said there are long-term plans to add an additional general lane, running both north and south, in the area by 2040. The HOV lane opening also precedes two separate, related projects on this section of the 215 freeway: the reconstruction of the Mt. Vernon/Washington Street interchange in Colton, and the Barton Road interchange in Grand Terrace.