Mediation Offered in Toll Lanes Dispute

Seeking to help commuters facing gridlock each day on the Riverside Freeway, state Sen. Joe Dunn (D-Santa Ana) on Wednesday proposed negotiations among state and local transportation officials and the owners of private toll lanes built along the freeway median.

Dunn offered to serve as mediator to reach a compromise giving Caltrans freedom to improve a snarled stretch of the Riverside Freeway near the border of Orange and Riverside counties. The state signed an agreement last fall prohibiting the work.

Officials from the toll road operators, California Private Transportation Co., said they would welcome an opportunity for negotiations over the fate of the 10 miles of toll lanes that run along the median of the 91 Freeway from Anaheim to the county line.

Caltrans Chief Jose Medina agreed in October to shelve plans to widen a six-mile segment of the Riverside Freeway until traffic increases by more than 50%, which is not expected for at least 15 years. Medina made the agreement to settle a lawsuit brought by owners of the 91 Express Lanes, who sought to protect their toll lane investment.

Dunn would like to scrap that agreement.

“I am of the belief that there is a middle ground, a compromise, that would allow Caltrans to make improvements that would alleviate traffic congestion and that would not interfere with the toll revenues of the private owners,” Dunn said. “I’m looking for common ground, where everybody gives a little bit to solve this problem. Not everybody would come away happy, with everything that they want.”

Dunn said invitation letters will be sent today to officials with Caltrans, the Orange County Transportation Authority, the Riverside County Transportation Commission, California Private Transportation Co. and a nonprofit group that attempted--but failed--to buy the toll lanes last year.

Dunn said he is inviting the nonprofit group, NewTrac, to negotiation sessions because it has been an interested party and could still play a role.

Dunn’s proposal was greeted enthusiastically by officials who represent commuters in Orange and Riverside counties.

“If Sen. Dunn can act as a broker to allow us to move forward, that will be a big step in the right direction,” said Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione. “If that freeway gets too congested, then no one is going to win.”

Greg Hulsizer, the toll lanes’ general manager, said owners would welcome meetings with officials. “We’ve been very clear in our message,” he said, “that the toll lanes are for sale.”

Hulsizer would not say whether his company would be willing to renegotiate the October agreement.