Los Angeles Adopts Congestion Toll
The program, which extends 11 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, will be tested out for one year.
Additional access to the express lanes could shave off an estimated two to three miles per trip. However, each trip could cost drivers up to $15.40.
The freeway toll system has commonly used for many other regions of the country, especially the East Coast. Advocates hope that the program will be successful in reducing congestion in Los Angeles.
"It's about time," UCLA urban planning professor Donald Shoup said. "They work in San Diego; they work in many other cities. We have the worst congestion and it's odd that we're one of the last cities to try it out."
Some Los Angeles County drivers do not agree with the toll fee program. Drivers who usually use carpool lanes are still required to purchase transponders even though they will still be able to drive in the lanes without paying a fee.
"Look at all the tax fees we're paying already," carpooler Lisa Lavine said. "Then they're coming out with this."
If the toll lanes on the are well recepted amongst Los Angeles drivers, a 14-mile express lane could be implemented on the 10 Freeway. The lane will stretch from Union Station to the 605 Freeway.
