: "

Carpool lanes on I-80 leg in plans
By Reporter Staff
TheReporter.Com
Article Launched:10/26/2006 05:46:02 AM PDT
Solano County gained much-needed funding Wednesday to help with future development of carpool lanes on Interstate 80 in Fairfield.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission allocated $1 million in bridge toll money to the Solano Transportation Authority to help finance the construction of the county's first high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in the median of Interstate 80 between Red Top Road and Air Base Parkway in Fairfield.

'It's a tremendous improvement for the county, both locally and regionally,' said Janet Adams, director of projects for STA. 'This (allocation) is for the design work of the HOV lanes.'

Construction of the lanes, which will extend more than 8 miles in both the east and west-bound directions, likely will begin in the spring of 2008.

'The Interstate 80 carpool lanes are one key element of a comprehensive plan to improve traffic flow through the Cordelia junction, where 80, 680 and State Route 12 all come together,' said Suisun City Mayor and Solano County Supervisor-elect Jim Spering, in a press release announcing the allocation.

'That's a critical chokepoint on the routes to and from both the Carquinez Bridge and the Benicia-Martinez Bridge,' Spering continued.
"