The California Transportation Commission has approved funding for the first phase of Caltrans’ Yolo 80 Corridor Improvement Project, which would add toll lanes to Interstate 80 between Davis and West Sacramento. Officials said a high-occupancy toll lane would be added to I-80 in each direction. , which would expand that portion of the highway from six to eight lanes in total. The new lanes would be free for cars carrying three or more people inside, but single drivers and drivers with just one passenger would have to pay toll fees. The CTC approved $105 million for the first phase of the project, which essentially serves as a green light for Caltrans to begin searching for a contractor to begin construction. The goal of the 17 miles of toll lanes is to reduce congestion, reduce travel times and make the road safer for drivers. According to CTC documents, the project would create approximately 2,600 temporary construction jobs. Additionally, documents show the project would “construct improvements to pedestrian and bicycle facilities, construct a new Class I pedestrian and bicycle facility (fully separated from the road), as well as intelligent transportation system elements such as such as ramp meters, closed circuit televisions and changeable message signs. transport of goods and services throughout the region. Drivers like the idea of increasing traffic flow and reducing congestion on the portion of I-80 between Davis and West Sacramento. “The extra lane, especially coming from Davis on the roadway, is definitely going to create a big difference in travel times to get to Sacramento,” said driver James Stenson. But some disagree with paying tolls. ” I do not know. I’m not a big fan of this. Because I feel like everyone pays for that, right? We all pay for it, and so why would you be charged again if we all pay for it? We are all taxpayers,” Stenson said. Other drivers said they didn’t mind paying a toll if it meant adding more lanes to the highway. “I have kids, so to be able to get there quickly, you know, with kids, I think that’s definitely going to help us.” It’s worth it,” said driver Jeremy Gibson. “If they’re going to be wide enough and on time, it’s certainly worth it.” However, several environmental groups, like the climate justice organization 530 Sacramento, opposed the project, saying it would lead to more pollution. “Increasing vehicle miles traveled and increasing greenhouse gas emissions from those vehicles will exacerbate and worsen the climate disasters we are seeing, so adding lanes is a huge problem for the environment,” said Katie McCammon, 350 Sacramento program director. McCammon added that different species and habitats in the wetland near the Yolo Causeway would be negatively affected by the construction and additional lanes. “It’s a very bad idea to increase inorganic infrastructure in these areas because it minimizes the capabilities of these ecological zones,” McCammon said. .McCammon said 350 Sacramento, along with several other environmental organizations, formed a coalition and signed letters opposing the project. Although Caltrans now has the green light to begin work on the project thanks to the CTC’s decision, McCammon said climate activists will continue to speak out. “We don’t have time to stop. Climate is going to continue to be a problem,” McCammon said. “We are at a breaking point. We are past the breaking point. » It is not known exactly how much the toll would be. The CTC said the Capital Region Regional Toll Authority is responsible for details of the toll program, such as rates. KCRA 3 asked Caltrans for a timeline on when construction on the project could begin and what impact the road work would have on traffic along I-80. . A spokesperson said in an email that because of the recent CTC approval, Caltrans needed to update information about its project. The CTC said construction of the new tracks is expected to begin this fall.
The California Transportation Commission has approved funding for the first phase of Caltrans’ Yolo 80 Corridor Improvement Project, which would add toll lanes to Interstate 80 between Davis and West Sacramento.
Officials said a high-occupancy toll lane would be added to I-80 in each direction, widening that portion of the highway from six to eight lanes total. The new lanes would be free for cars carrying three or more people inside, but single drivers and drivers with just one passenger would have to pay a toll.
The CTC approved $105 million for the first phase of the project, which essentially serves as a green light for Caltrans to begin searching for a contractor to begin construction.
The goal of the 17 miles of toll lanes is to reduce congestion, reduce travel times and make the road safer for drivers. According to CTC documents, the project would create approximately 2,600 temporary construction jobs.
Additionally, documents show the project “would construct improvements to pedestrian and bicycle facilities, construct a new Class I pedestrian and bicycle facility (completely separated from the road), as well as intelligent transportation system elements such as ramp meters, closed circuit televisions and changeable message signs.
The project’s Caltrans website also states that the plan would improve highway operations on the mainline, ramps and at interchanges in the system, as well as support the reliable transportation of goods and services throughout the region.
Drivers like the idea of increasing traffic flow and reducing congestion on the portion of I-80 between Davis and West Sacramento.
“The extra lane, especially coming from Davis on the roadway, will definitely make a big difference in travel times to get to Sacramento,” said driver James Stenson.
But some disagree with paying tolls.
“I do not know. I’m not a big fan of this. Because I feel like everyone pays for that, right? We all pay for it, and so why would you be charged again if we all pay for it? We are all taxpayers,” Stenson said.
Other drivers said they didn’t mind paying a toll if it meant adding more lanes to the highway.
“I have kids, so being able to get there quickly, you know, with kids, I think it’s going to help us, for sure. It’s worth it,” said driver Jeremy Gibson. “If they’re going to be wide enough and on time, it’s certainly worth it.”
However, several environmental groups, like the climate justice organization 530 Sacramento, opposed the project, saying it would lead to more pollution.
“Increasing vehicle miles traveled and increasing greenhouse gas emissions from those vehicles will exacerbate and worsen the climate disasters we are seeing, so adding lanes is a huge problem for the environment,” said Katie McCammon, 350 Sacramento program director.
McCammon added that different species and habitats in the wetland near the Yolo Causeway would be negatively affected by the construction and additional lanes.
“It’s a really bad idea to increase inorganic infrastructure in these areas because it minimizes the capabilities of these ecological zones,” McCammon said.
McCammon said 350 Sacramento, along with several other environmental organizations, formed a coalition and signed letters opposing the project. Although Caltrans now has the green light to begin work on the project thanks to the CTC’s decision, McCammon said climate activists will continue to speak out.
“We don’t have time to stop. Climate is going to continue to be a problem,” McCammon said. “We are at a breaking point. We are past the breaking point. »
It’s unclear how much the toll charges would be. The CTC said the Capital Region Regional Toll Authority is responsible for details of the toll program, such as rates.
KCRA 3 asked Caltrans for a timeline on when construction on the project could begin and what impact the road work would have on traffic along I-80. A spokesperson said in an email that because of the recent CTC approval, Caltrans needed to update information about its project. The CTC said construction of the new tracks is expected to begin this fall.
News Source : www.kcra.com
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