State High Court Won’t Dismiss Tollway Lawsuit
The state Supreme Court this week refused to dismiss a lawsuit contending that the privately owned toll lanes on the Riverside Freeway were built illegally and should be opened to all drivers.
The suit, filed by Riverside County in March, alleges that Caltrans broke the law when it allowed the 10-mile tollway to be built on the freeway--land the county says should be reserved for public use.
Caltrans and the California Private Transportation Co., which owns and operates the toll lanes, have argued that the courts do not have the right to overturn the deal, struck more than a decade ago by Caltrans and the Legislature.
The state cleared the way for four private ventures on freeways in 1989. To date, only the 91 Express Lanes are operating. Two other projects have been abandoned and the fourth still lacks permits.
Drivers who use the Express Lanes must use a transponder that electronically bills their account.
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