Potential Road Toll to Get to SMF
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is investigating ways to reduce traffic along Interstate 5 in the downtown region. The I-5 Corridor Improvement is a multi-million dollar traffic improvement project that may end up including the addition of toll lanes in Sacramento.
CalTrans is considering adding toll lanes to one of Sacramento’s major arteries in order to reduce traffic and to increase transportation funding. The toll would be added on Interstate 5 between downtown and the Sacramento International Airport (SMF). CalTrans reports that two of the area’s top four traffic bottlenecks are located along that stretch of highway.
The funds generated by toll lanes would go toward area highway maintenance as well as future transportation projects, according to Caltrans officials.
Watch the YouTube video. Below is a news clip from ABC10 reporting on the proposed toll lanes in Sacramento.
They Have Tried This Before
This is not the first time that the idea of a toll road has been considered in our region. In 2019, CalTrans was considering adding toll lanes to Interstate 80 with the goal of relieving traffic to and from the Bay Area. The area considered in 2019 was on the Yolo Causeway, another area that hosts large commute-time bottlenecks.
Other Traffic Projects Proposed
In addition to possibly constructing toll lanes in both directions of Interstate 5, the proposed I-5 Corridor Improvement project includes plans to widen the freeway, widen bridges, add ramp meters, and increase access for bicyclists and pedestrians.
CalTrans cites the purpose of the proposed project to be multifactorial and includes:
- The reduction of vehicle congestion
- The promotion of ride-sharing
- Access for multiple modes of travel
- Improvement in traffic operations
The portion of I-5 targeted by the proposed project experiences high traffic volumes, particularly during commute times. The heavy traffic results in the area experiencing recurring congestion and bottlenecks. Those factors increase vehicle emissions and travel costs while reducing the reliability of estimated travel times. Looking forward, there is much more development planned between the downtown area and the airport, which will further increase traffic congestion and its resultant problems.
Alternatives to Toll Lanes in Sacramento
The project proposes alternatives to toll lanes, including High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes or High Occupancy Toll Lanes (HOT). HOT lanes only charge vehicles that contain a single occupant.
If the $300 to $500 million dollar project is approved, it is likely that construction will not begin until 2025. The proposed date of completion would be sometime in 2028.
If You Want to Comment, Do So Quickly
The Caltrans proposed project is in the phase where they are accepting public comments. During this phase, the agency will receive and review community feedback regarding the proposals. There are few ways in which you can submit your comment if you are so inclined:
Prepare written comments and hand-deliver them to:
Kelly McNally
Senior Environmental Planner
CalTrans District 3
703 B Street
Marysville, CA 95901
You may also email the comments to [email protected]
In order to be reviewed, comments need to be received by March 24, 2021
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading. As traffic volumes continue to increase back to normal, we will undoubtedly experience the unpleasant results – congestion, traffic jams, and unfortunately, more automobile accidents. I am Ed Smith, and I have been in practice as a Sacramento personal injury lawyer for nearly four decades. If you have suffered injuries in a car crash caused by a negligent driver, please reach out to our injury attorneys for free and friendly legal advice. We are happy to answer questions and help determine if we can add value to your potential case. Call us at (916) 921-6400 locally or from outside the region at (800) 404-5400. If you prefer, you can send me a message via our online contact link.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/under-construction-construction-2413499/
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