Managed lanes moves ahead

C/CAG voted 10-6 April 12 to approve a memorandum of understanding and cooperative agreements for the managed lanes project, which is currently in the final stages of the environmental review process.

The $514 million proposal, which has been in the works for years, would create a new express lane in each direction on Highway 101 from Whipple Avenue in Redwood City to Interstate 380 in San Bruno for carpoolers and those willing to pay.

The 14-mile stretch of highway could include up to seven zones with fluctuating tolls based on demand, though rates have yet to be determined. Solo drivers would pay full price, two-person carpools and clean energy vehicles may see a discount and carpools of three or more along with buses and motorcycles would ride free. The plan includes connecting existing auxiliary lanes to create a new lane while squeezing every possible inch of available space. The far left lane in each direction would then be converted into a managed lane with commensurate signs and real-time surveillance equipment installed.

A “managed lane” is an umbrella term encompassing carpool and express lanes, among other management schemes. Express lanes have been implemented around the state and the country, and often trigger concerns about equity.

Canepa said he’s also worried about express lane tolls — which he described as “just another tax” — burdening residents in a region where affordability is a significant issue and at a time when other measures, including a SamTrans and potential Caltrain tax, are being considered for the upcoming ballot.

Canepa is one of six board members who voted against the managed lanes project last week, and while this phase was comfortably approved, Canepa said the 10-6 split vote is unusual for the board.

“You rarely see that division,” he said.

To address the gridlock on Highway 101, Canepa said he’s interested in carpool lanes, which currently don’t exist in San Mateo County, and other efforts to encourage carpooling, which has decreased significantly in recent years.

“Why aren’t we carpooling more?” Is it something on the education side? We have that technology now where people can get picked up on smartphone apps,” he said.

Doug Kim, another C/CAG board member and also mayor of Belmont, said carpooling only helps congestion when paired with a managed lane, but added that all studies show carpool lanes on Highway 101 are “too little, too late.” He said the “more aggressive” express lanes would create a more balanced corridor, though he was absent from last week’s vote.

“I’m supportive of anything allowing people to make choices that ultimately help to reduce congestion,” he said. “The toll aspect has been addressed in every managed lane project throughout the country. You can deal with it in a variety of different ways, but what’s critical is you beef up public transportation with managed lanes toll revenue.”

C/CAG Executive Director Sandy Wong said she anticipates upcoming board discussions will address the ways in which express lane revenue should be spent. C/CAG is a joint powers authority comprised of board members representing each city and the county that works on quality of life issues such as air quality and transportation, among others.

Wong also said studies have shown that express lanes in other regions, including Alameda and Contra Costa counties, have not been used by a concentration of specific income levels and that a whole spectrum of people are using them.

As San Mateo County’s managed lanes project moves forward, the Valley Transportation Agency is converting its existing carpool lanes into express lanes in Santa Clara County, while another proposal to extend express lanes into San Francisco is being considered.

Wong said the San Mateo County project will be funded primarily by state and federal grants. She said the initial study and environmental impact phase cost $21 million, while the design phase is estimated at $38 million, the right of way phase at $18 million, construction capital at $400 million and construction management at $40 million.

Beyond the equity concern, Wong said staff is working with cities surrounding Highway 101 to ensure local streets are not affected by the project.

And Kim said the connection into San Francisco is critical to the project’s success.

“To me it only works if you get people a clean way of getting from 101 to the 280 freeway and into heart of downtown San Francisco. That’s a tricky connection, but that has to be done right,” he said. “Our county has to work closely with San Francisco to figure out how to get that last mile.”

Wong also said expanded public bus service is part of the vision for the managed lanes project. As a companion project, SamTrans plans to roll out new express bus lines that would travel on Highway 101’s express lanes once they’re installed in San Mateo County.

The managed lanes project is expected to advance to the design phase by summer, Wong added.

zachary@smdailyjournal.com

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