Caltrans announced the completion of the continuous 58-mile carpool lane on Highway 101, finally eliminating the final bottlenecks between Novato and Petaluma.
The Press Democrat reports the massive construction project, decades in the making, cost an estimated $1.5 billion. However, the milestone is overshadowed by recent changes.
Caltrans has expanded the HOV lane operating hours, leading many drivers in the regular lanes to report significantly longer commute times. In addition, electric vehicle owners will lose their HOV lane access starting Wednesday as their special clean air decals expire, potentially adding more congestion.
Despite the immediate backlash, officials emphasize the project’s long-term safety improvements and importance to the region.
