Good news for those who come into and leave Los Angeles everyday via the 5 freeway from the north county: those carpool lanes that have been under construction for a while are opening Friday. The lanes are a first for the 5 freeway in Los Angeles County and is part of a larger scheme to go carpool lane crazy in that part of town. Future lanes will connect the project to the 118 and 170 arteries with plans for a direct carpool connector at the I-5/14 Interchange and a lane down the 170 to the 134.

"This HOV [High Occupany Vehicle] lane project will improve mobility, help to alleviate congestion, encourage carpooling and improve air quality," Caltrans spokeswoman Jeanne Bonfilio said in a announcement this afternoon. "In addition, soundwalls have been constructed at various locations along the project area to improve the quality of life for residents who live alongside the I-5 Freeway."

Photo by chinota via Flickr