Post by red on Apr 28, 2008 6:35:26 GMT -8
MTA will weigh project to convert carpool lanes to congestion pricing, beginning with parts of the 10 and 210 freeways, but many obstacles remain.
By Steve Hymon, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
April 24, 2008
The federal government has offered Los Angeles County $213 million to
convert carpool lanes to special, congestion-pricing toll lanes on
three freeways, according to county government documents.
The freeways involved first would be short stretches of Interstates 10
and 210 in the San Gabriel Valley, and then, if any money remained,
part of the 110 south of downtown Los Angeles.
The federal funding, however, would come to L.A. County only if local
and state transportation officials agreed to the changes, which are
highly controversial in the region, where most motorists expect "free"
freeways.
Board members of the county Metropolitan Transportation Authority
today will consider adopting a memorandum of understanding with the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
Also, the California Transportation Commission and the state
Legislature would probably have a say before the special toll lanes
were created, sources said.
The idea of the special lanes is to impose costly tolls during rush
hours to unclog congestion by discouraging people from driving during
busy times -- so-called "congestion" pricing.
Tolls would vary by time of day, with the highest fees during the
busiest times. Cars with single occupants would probably be allowed to
use the lanes -- if they pay a price.
In the proposed deal, the federal money would go toward the purchase
of about 60 high-volume buses that would use the new toll lanes. That
would free up MTA funds for creating the toll lanes.
L.A. Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, who chairs the council's
Transportation Committee, said she's cautiously optimistic that the
MTA board would adopt the plan today.
She said that although she understands that fees are unpopular, it was
time to try something new.
"The most important aspect of this is the breadth of the money,"
Greuel said. "We're in the 21st century and that means we have to look
at solutions we never have before."
A spokesman for L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Wednesday night
that the mayor is supportive of the plan and feels it deserves "a test
ride."
MTA spokesman Marc Littman declined to comment on the funding offer.
Officials with the U.S. Department of Transportation did not return
calls.
Transportation officials hope enough people use the buses and the
tolls clear enough space in the carpool lanes for traffic flow to
remain at 45 mph or more at all times.
Many carpool lanes are near capacity and frequently suffer the same
stop-start traffic that grips regular lanes.
Only short stretches of freeway fall under the proposal.
On the I-210, the tolls would be in effect between junctions with the
710 and 605 -- an 11-mile stretch that includes some of its heaviest
volumes of traffic, according to Caltrans.
On the I-10, the tolls would affect the El Monte Busway, a distance of
about 10 miles. The first parts of the project could be implemented in
2010.
The federal offer has come to Los Angeles County after New York City
failed to approve a congestion pricing program.
"We feel it's important for the public to feel this and taste it,"
Tyler Duvall, acting undersecretary at the U.S. Department of
Transportation, said earlier this month. "L.A. is a national interest
area, and it's important in our view to get [congestion pricing] on
the ground and demonstrated to everyone."
groups.google.com/group/misc.transport.road/browse_thread/thread/d988910620e081b3/44b433b81ba3aabb?lnk=raot
Feds OK grant for toll roads
www.dailybreeze.com/ci_9048108
Governor touts toll lane plan
www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_9060995
Carpool lanes face conversion
www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_9048694