For those who travel the 35 miles of Interstate 10 between Claremont and Yucaipa, it’s no secret that the freeway is at capacity for the majority of the day, with congestion peaking during commuting hours, and on weekends and holidays. Reporter Mike Lipsitz reports on a pay-to-play plan that aims to alleviate some of the congestion…
Planners predict that without additional capacity, congestion along the busiest 35 miles of I-10 will worsen significantly in the coming years. The San Bernardino Associated Governments, or SANBAG, is the leading agency in pursuit of a solution. At present, SANBAG seems to favor what’s called the Express Lane alternative, a 10-year, $1.5 billion dollar project that includes the addition of two variable toll lanes in each direction of the 35-mile stretch. Tolls would vary depending on volume; carpools would pay a discounted toll while single occupancy vehicles would pay $2 to $7 as determined by time of day, volume, and other factors. A similar plan is under consideration for the busiest section of I-15. Opponents say the Express Lane alternative benefits the rich while leaving everyone else stuck in traffic. For more on the plan, the alternatives, and the opposition, follow the links in this story at Z1077fm.com.
(Visit www.I10CorridorProject.com for details on all the alternatives being studied. Opposing arguments may be found by searching Facebook for “Toll Free IE.”)
