Work moving forward on I-680 express lanes

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

As work continues to create toll express lanes along Interstate 680 through the San Ramon Valley, the project marked a milestone this week with a majority of the civil construction now complete, Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) officials said in their monthly project update.

The civil construction components included installation of overhead sign structures, construction of enforcement areas and maintenance vehicle pull-outs, and laying conduit for the toll system and communications network.

Work is set to carry on during the coming months, with the new express lanes currently scheduled to open in the spring.

Intermittent and alternating nightly closures will take place this month in the northbound and southbound directions on I-680 in the lane closest to the shoulder from Martinez to Dublin as part of the project, MTC officials said. Crews will be positioning toll readers, enforcement cameras and antennas and working on the fiber optic communications network.

The $49 million express lanes project on I-680 from Walnut Creek to Dublin involves converting existing high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes into toll express lanes across approximately 23 miles overall.

Designed as a congestion-relief project, the express lanes will run on southbound I-680 from Rudgear Road to Alcosta Boulevard and on northbound I-680 from Alcosta to Livorna Road in Alamo.

The express lanes would be free to access for carpools, vanpools, public transit, motorcycles and eligible clean-air vehicles while other solo drivers could pay a toll to use the lanes from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays.

Among other work on the project in August, construction crews will be around on some city streets during the day near I-680 from Martinez to Dublin with temporary and minor pedestrian detours to keep up public safety, according to the MTC. Construction lighting will be present and directed away from residential areas, officials said.

Most of the orange plastic fencing and k-rail will be removed along I-680 this month, but it is necessary a small section of the fencing remains until the express lanes open, MTC officials said.

Construction work hours are Mondays through Thursdays 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Fridays 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. and Saturdays 7 p.m. to 10 a.m.