![]() ![]() In January 2003, the operating franchise was sold to OCTA. The project opened to traffic in December 1995. Cash (internal reserves) - $72.5 millionĭesign-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM) franchise (1995-2003)ĭBFOM franchisee - California Private Transportation Company (Dec.2003 as $200 million in tax-exempt toll revenue bonds) Taxable toll revenue bonds (assumed from CPTC) - $135 million (debt service provided by $83.6 million internal OCTA loan, refinanced in Nov.Fixed-rate bank loan (24 years) - $35 million.Variable-rate bank loan (14.5 years) - $65 million.$135 million (original capital construction cost, YOE) The extension is expected to open in January 2017. In 2014, the Riverside County Transportation Commission initiated a $1.3 billion project to extend the 91 Express Lanes into Riverside County by eight miles from the Orange County line to I-15. The purchase eliminated the clause and has permitted the recent general purpose lane expansion from four to five lanes in each direction. The contract also included a non-compete clause that prohibited capacity improvements to the SR-91's general purpose lanes.īecause of a dispute over the non-compete clause, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) purchased the operating franchise for the 91 Express Lanes in January 2003 for $207.5 million. While CPTC maintained control over the tolls, the state contract capped the rate of return. A private consortium, California Private Transportation Company (CPTC), financed and built the facility, transferred ownership to the state (Caltrans), and was to operate the lanes for 35 years. ![]() The project was conceived and delivered using a design-build-finance-operate-maintain contract method. The 91 Express Lanes opened in December 1995 as one of four P3 demonstration projects approved by the State Legislature through California Assembly Bill 680 in 1989. Tolls on the facility vary by direction of travel, time of day, and day of week on a fixed schedule that is reviewed quarterly for possible adjustment. There are single points of access and egress on each end with no intermediate entrances or exits. The facility consists of two lanes in each direction and is separated from five general purpose lanes in each direction by tubular markers. Evans had an Express Lane Pass but said the hardest part of his commute was McKinley Street to the old toll road entrance near Serfas Club Drive and then beginning near Green River Drive to the 15 Freeway for his drive home.īy 5 a.m., westbound traffic in the non-toll lanes was already clogged up, starting to slow at Lincoln Avenue and coming to a crawl by Serfas Club Drive.The 91 Express Lanes is a 10-mile, four-lane express toll-lane facility in the median of SR-91 in Southern California from the Riverside County Line east to SR-55 near Anaheim in Orange County. “I’m not surprised,” said Tosha Kelley, a clerk at the ARCO gas station on Lincoln Avenue south of the 91 Freeway. Q & A: What lies ahead for 91 Freeway commuters?.Kelley, who lives in near Van Buren Boulevard in Riverside, says she takes the northbound 15 Freeway then navigates back streets to get to work. New 15 Freeway toll lanes to open Saturday morning. “I don’t think anything will make it better.” If she were to take the 91 Freeway for the less than 10 miles directly to work, she said it would take her about 30 minutes compared to the 15 to 20 minutes using her detour. The 91 Express Lanes travel through portions of Orange and Riverside countries and toll charges vary. John Standiford, deputy executive director for Riverside County Transportation Commission, said Monday he was aware of the slowing on the westbound lanes but hoped motorists would take advantage of the additional Express Lanes in the future. Related story: In spite of fixes, some 91 Freeway commuters dubious.“There are a steady stream of cars on the Express Lanes, and the mainline of the freeway is still slow due to rush hour traffic.” “If people use the Express Lanes, that will take some cars off the mainline and should improve traffic,” Standiford said. ĭespite the morning gridlock, Standiford said this morning’s traffic was an improvement. Tolls for using the Express Lanes vary and can range from $1.55 up to $10.45 depending on time of day and day of the week, according to. Westbound Maple Street off-ramp reopened.“We didn’t see any of that this morning.”Ī news release Monday morning from the Riverside County Transportation Commission listed the work that had been completed during the weekend: “There are times when it backs up past the 15 (Freeway) and to McKinley (Street),” he said.
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