Caltrans proposes toll lanes on Interstate 405
(AP) – State transportation officials are reserving the right to install toll lanes on a notoriously congested section of Interstate 405 in Orange County, but local officials aren’t happy.
The Orange County Register reported Saturday that Caltrans wants to add 14 miles of toll lanes between Seal Beach and Costa Mesa.
The stretch of freeway is already slated for a $1.3 billion taxpayer-funded expansion project that would add a regular lane in each direction.
Caltrans proposes converting existing carpool lanes to toll lanes but doesn’t have the extra $400 million to make the lanes a reality.
Critics have called the toll lanes “Lexus lanes” because of the high price of using them.
The stretch of freeway in question gets more average daily traffic than any other in the nation.
