621-Mile ExpressLanes Strategic Plan

[numble]

Metro has a long-term 621-mile plan to extend existing ExpressLanes and create ExpressLanes on the 405, 105, 605, 5, 57, 91, 134, 210, 60, 14 and 118. This is a thread to discuss the issue.

Here is a presentation on the plan: metro.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=4925858&GUID=7C23448E-0B41-4D1C-925B-87CCA55DE694

Here is Metro’s failed INFRA grant application for $80 million to fund ExpressLanes on the 105: www.dropbox.com/s/alibbfzhoayodkp/18-838-Metro_2017%20INFRA_Regional%20ExpressLanes%20Narrative%20Only.pdf?dl=0

The INFRA grant application has many interesting details, including their plan to loan toll revenue from the 10/110 ExpressLanes to fund the 105 construction, the estimated $8.3 billion cost for the whole network, and their estimate that the network can generate $1.2 to $1.6 billion in toll-backed debt, as well as an additional $500-$650 million in additional toll revenues from Tier 1 projects. It’s not clear what the time horizons are on these figures, though.

A system financing approach will maximize non-federal funding by supporting from $1.2 to $1.6 billion in total toll-backed financing capacity, as much as $900 million more than would be achievable through a traditional standalone project financing for individual corridors. Key variables driving the revenue range estimate shown in Table 8 include the HOV toll exemption policy, assumed level of revenue support from high-performing ExpressLanes corridors, and lifecycle cost accounting.

Once operational, priority (Tier 1) ExpressLanes corridors are projected to generate an additional $500–$650 million in excess cash flow after debt service (in discounted 2017 dollars), which could be used for additional pay-as-go investment.

Measure M Expenditure Plan adopted by voters requires funded projects to adhere to the groundbreaking sequence specified in the Plan. For I-105 ExpressLanes, Measure M construction funds cannot be accessed for the project prior to FY 2027.

Metro is addressing this fiscal constraint through an interfund loan from the I-10/I-110 ExpressLanes Net Toll Revenue Account. An interfund loan of up to $104 million will be provided at the start of construction, then repaid by Measure M funds programmed for I-105 ExpressLanes beginning in FY 2027.

[culvercitylocke]

I hate converting general public traffic lanes paid for by all taxpayers into private lanes for rich people.

If they really wanted to mitigate pollution they could just use the eight billion to give poor people additional 10,000 rebates on electric cars (and therefor move them into the hov lane hah) or free solar installations.

But that wouldn’t give benefits to rich people while inflicting the costs on the rest of us, so it’s probably not even on the table.

[numble]

Jul 6, 2018 21:19:13 GMT -8 culvercitylocke said:

I hate converting general public traffic lanes paid for by all taxpayers into private lanes for rich people.

If they really wanted to mitigate pollution they could just use the eight billion to give poor people additional 10,000 rebates on electric cars (and therefor move them into the hov lane hah) or free solar installations.

But that wouldn’t give benefits to rich people while inflicting the costs on the rest of us, so it’s probably not even on the table.

The 105 plan doesn’t consider removing any of the general purpose lanes, just converting the existing HOV lane into an ExpressLane and adding another lane via restriping of lanes. It also proposes getting rid of the transponder system.

They propose paying for the 8 billion in part with toll revenue (around $2.25 billion in toll revenue, but maybe more since it seems that is only based on the Tier 1 toll revenues—they have 3 tiers of ExpressLanes to build). There would be no way to get 8 billion to fund your idea.

[masonite]

Jul 6, 2018 21:19:13 GMT -8 culvercitylocke said:

I hate converting general public traffic lanes paid for by all taxpayers into private lanes for rich people.

If they really wanted to mitigate pollution they could just use the eight billion to give poor people additional 10,000 rebates on electric cars (and therefor move them into the hov lane hah) or free solar installations.

But that wouldn’t give benefits to rich people while inflicting the costs on the rest of us, so it’s probably not even on the table.

Anyone can use the toll lanes and people of all income levels often do. Poorer people may use them less but if they really need to get somewhere studies have shown they use them and are appreciative of the chance to get somewhere quickly.

If anything the current system is more weighted to the wealthy Tesla or electric car owner.

Tolls are used throughout the US for many roads and bridges. All sorts of people use the Bay Bridge not just wealthy individuals as an example. Same with roads in Chicago and the Northeast and even Texas.

If the gas tax is repealed in November as is now expected, Metro will have a giant hole in its budget. HOT lanes won't fill that big of a hole, but may help slightly. For the Sepulveda Pass project, they are going to need HOT Lane revenue and/or a PPP which will require riders pay a premium fare to go through the pass - say $5-$6 each way. Project doesn't add up without this additional revenue unless they are able to go above ground with that rubber tire idea.

[bzcat]

The flaw in the plan is that it still leaves too many lanes on the highway without tolls (in fact, expanding them!)

It's time we get serious about congestion charges.

[numble]

The 710 is not included as part of the 621-mile plan, but John Fasana requested that ExpressLanes be studied as part of the 710-South project:
metro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3341996&GUID=A1233775-46BB-4C75-8518-6481651E34DD&Options=ID%7CText%7CAttachments%7C&FullText=1

[numble]

Based on the latest quarterly report from OEI, Metro has received a P3 proposal from ROADIS for the P3 delivery of a countywide ExpressLanes/Express Bus network:
lametro.nextrequest.com/documents/742283/download

ROADIS:Metro is finalizing the evaluation of an Unsolicited Proposal for P3 delivery of a countywide network of joint High-Occupancy Toll/Express Bus Lanes running on major highways by ROADIS, an international company that participates in the development, operation and management of highway concessions, to a Phase II evaluation. The evaluation will consider the potential benefits of such a P3, alongside the extent to which the proposal could have an impact on the ExpressLanes system financing plan.

The summary of this proposal in the "Unsolicited Proposal Status Log" describes the proposal as "A triangle of bus and toll lanes in the South Bay."