Hwy 85 VTA changes

VTA wants to add 1 lane in each direction of Hwy 85; the result would be 1 HOV lane and 1 Toll Lane.  Superficially that sounds reasonable but.....

More lanes equals more traffic, noise and air pollution.  The VTA plan flies in the face of the policies of using carpools and mass transit. Additionally, the VTA plans is in direct conflict with the agreements made with several cities along the 85 route, notably that the median strip was to be used for mass transit only (light rail).  There are also several other sections of the agreements which are being ignored or disregarded.

The State Route (SR) 85 Express Lanes Project proposes to convert the existing High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on SR 85 to express lanes. The conversion of the HOV lanes to express lanes would allow single-occupant vehicles to pay a toll to use the lanes, while HOVs (vehicles with two or more occupants, motorcycles, and certain alternative fuel vehicles) would continue to use the lanes for free. The express lanes would extend along the entire 24.1-mile length of SR 85 and 1.5 miles of United States Highway 101 (US 101) in San Jose. The project would also add a second express lane on SR 85 between SR 87 and Interstate 280.

Please be informed!  This project will affect everyone along or near Hwy 85.  More information is available at: 85expresslanes@urs.com