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The 110 Harbor Freeway Gets a HOT Makeover
Photo by okarol via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
The 110 Harbor Freeway will be expanding as it receives new High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes to remedy smog and gridlock. The expansion is part of a project called Metro ExpressLanes which is partnered through Caltrans, Metro and other organizations whose efforts will culminate on Saturday, November 10 at approximately 12:01 AM, when the new lanes officially open.
The HOT lanes are open to vanpools, carpools, truckpools as well as solo motorists, however the latter must pay a toll for using the express lanes, while parties of two or more can save their change.
The method for the toll charge--congestion pricing--is kind of ingenious, as the fee is assessed based on the current level of traffic. Traffic sensors will scan the Express Lanes and increase the toll from 25 cents a mile up to $1.40 a mile as the volume of traffic increases.
"When solo drivers begin to travel on the 110 ExpressLanes, all commuters will benefit—whether they pay a toll or not—because the ExpressLanes will redistribute traffic across all lanes of the 110 freeway,” said Los Anegeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.
The project will convert approximately 11 miles of freeway into what city officials say will be a more efficient, orderly stretch of road. The project also encompasses parts of I-10 San Bernardino Freeway, however I-10 HOT lanes won't open until next year.
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