Tri-Valley Commute Gets Help

Commuters in the Tri-Valley, especially those traveling on southbound I-680 and eastbound I-580, noticed a big change in their commutes on Monday, September 20. That’s when new Toll Express Lanes opened up to commuters with FasTrak.

The Pleasanton Patch reports:

Last week, contractors worked to re-stripe I-680 to create a 14-mile express lane. The express lane uses the FasTrack electronic toll collection system, requiring a prepaid account and tags placed near the rearview mirror.

Tolls for solo drivers are “dynamically priced,” or based on the number of drivers using the express lane at any given time. The price rises during peak periods and drops when the road is less used.

The express lane will remain free for carpool and eligible high-occupancy vehicles such as hybrids.

There also is an express lane opening for I-580 that stretches west of Pleasanton to east of Livermore. The 12-mile roadway sports similar payment methods to the I-680 express lane.

The I-680 Express Lane will operate 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday for toll-paying solo drivers. Carpool or HOV-eligible cars can use the lane free at any time.

I do understand there was some congestion the first few days that the express lanes were open. That’s to be expected as people get accustomed to changes to their normal commute. We are all such creatures of habit that even the slightest changes on the freeways cause delays. Expect things to smooth out after an adjustment period and then everyone can go back auto-pilot.

Adding these express lanes should make commuting to and from the Tri-Valley more convenient. For some (anyone with only one person in the car), it may cost a little more but if you’re in a hurry, it could well be worth it. For more information, go to 680expresslane.org.