Central County : Special Freeway Lanes Reduce Travel Times

Commuters on the Costa Mesa Freeway are getting to work in nearly half the time, even those who are not using the new commuter lanes, according to Caltrans figures released Monday.

An analysis of the first three weeks’ use of the new lanes, restricted to cars with two or more occupants, shows that drivers in the regular lanes are spending an average of 21 minutes on the 11.7 miles between the Riverside and San Diego freeways.

Drivers in the car-pool lanes are spending an average of 10 to 12 minutes traveling the freeway.

Average travel times were 35 minutes and more before the new lanes opened, state officials said.

While it is too early to make a definite determination, deputy Caltrans district director David Roper said it appears that accident rates have not increased because of the new commuter lanes.

Twenty-six accidents were recorded during the first week, most involving drivers at high speeds in the new lanes who ran into unexpected congestion; 14 were recorded in the second week, and by the third week, the number was back up to 24.

But during a week in October before the commuter lanes were inaugurated, 28 accidents occurred along that portion of the Costa Mesa Freeway.

Surveys show cars in the commuter lanes have an average of 2.2 occupants, which county transportation officials expect to increase.

The incidence of drivers without passengers in the commuter lanes has ranged from 2.3% to 9.5%. Last week, the California Highway Patrol sent extra officers to issue tickets, which carry a $52 fine.

CHP officials also have been issuing tickets frequently to drivers who fail to use designated exits and entrances to the lane and illegally cross over the yellow line.

County transportation officials say they are studying whether to lengthen, shift or close off some of the entrance and exit points or make signs designating them more prominent.

The county will decide whether to retain the commuter lanes permanently and expand them to the San Diego Freeway after a 90-day trial.