ExpressLanes bring more choices and less congestion

Metro I-110 ExpressLanes

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is always looking for ways to provide commuters with safe, innovative, and cost-effective travel options. To do so along two of Los Angeles County’s most congested corridors, they initiated the I-110 ExpressLanes project.

As part of Stantec’s construction management (CM) support services contract, we provided CM support for this project. We started by converting high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on the I-10 El Monte Busway between Alameda Street and I-605 and the I-110 Harbor Transitway between Adams Boulevard and Artesia Transit Center. A one-year demonstration period for each corridor helped ease congestion and better manage the flow of traffic by implementing pricing to improve travel choices. Single occupant vehicles (SOV) had the option to use the lanes for a toll, while vehicles with two or more occupants (or three or more during peak hours on the I-10) could continue to use the lanes toll-free.

By incorporating this congestion pricing strategy, it is hoped that more people will be encouraged to use transit, join a vanpool or carpool, or that solo drivers will be encouraged to travel at off-peak hours. Ultimately, this project helped increase traffic flow and provide better travel options.