The Details
The Expressway 91 Express Lanes is a modern four-lane toll road that originates in Orange, California, and extends to Riverside County. Two lanes are provided for each direction, separated from the general directions by special signage. There are no intermediate entrances or exits, only endpoints.
Line History
In the 1980s, the California Department of Transportation proposed building a four-lane complex for vehicles to increase capacity and create what it called a "corridor." Because of controversy and funding problems that followed, construction issues were not raised until 1989, and in 1995 the rights were transferred to the California Private Transportation Company. It wasn't until 2003 that the road became owned again by the Orange County Transportation Authority.
Advantages of the road
Lane 91 Express Lanes has a variable fare structure with a fixed schedule, with rates ranging from $1.45 to $9.85 depending on direction, day of the week, and hour of the day. The fare schedule is adjusted quarterly.
Hybrid and two-vehicle owners receive a 50% discount during busy weekday afternoons and can use the lanes for free at other times (previously these types of vehicles were not charged).
Advantages of the road include:
- Improvement of the traffic interchange with partial unloading of the five common lanes;
- Maintaining the optimum speed of the free flow of vehicles during the period of maximum loading of the road;
- Reducing the number of turns, bindings, and other dangerous areas;
- Convenient system of electronic (automatic) payment.
Since the lanes are among the newest, they provide a smooth and comfortable ride at various speeds. Traffic on the toll road has increased several times over the years, as has traffic on the general purpose lanes due to the popularity of this route. At the same time, any improvements cannot yet be made because of the terms of the contract.
If the corridor toll is not paid on time, you can go to the Orange County Transportation Authority website and make the payment online. Otherwise, it will be mailed in paper form along with a $25 fine.