Express Lanes on US 101 from the Santa Clara County line to Whipple Avenue in Redwood City will officially open on Friday, February 11. The Express Lanes will operate from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays.
Travelers can take advantage of the Express Lanes, provided they are enrolled in the FasTrak system. All customers must have a FasTrak Flex to qualify for free or reduced tolls in the express lanes, as that allows them to disclose how many passengers they are carrying. Customers without a valid FasTrak will be in violation and be subject to fines and penalties. Tolls will be adjusted during operating hours depending on demand and traffic patterns, with the goal of keeping the express lanes traffic flowing smoothly.
Buses, as well as customers driving carpools with three or more people, will be able to travel free of charge in the express lanes. Customers driving vehicles with two people or certain clean air vehicles (CAVs), such as cars that run on fuel cells, battery or plug-in hybrids that have a valid CAV decal from the Department of Motor Vehicles, will qualify for a 50% toll discount when the lanes first open.
The northern end of the project is expected to be completed this year, extending these lanes up from Whipple to I-380. The lanes lead directly into Express Lanes in Santa Clara County.
The project is being constructed through a partnership with Caltrans, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA), and the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG).
More information about the project can be found at 101express.com.
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About the SMCEL-JPA: Created to own, manage, and administer the operation and maintenance of the San Mateo 101 Express Lanes Project. For more information see https://smcexpresslanes.org.