Managed lanes are specialized roadways designed to enhance traffic flow and efficiency by regulating vehicle access based on specific criteria. The most common type of managed lane is a carpool lane, or High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, of which many exist in the Sacramento region. Managed lanes can also be classified by vehicle type, including truck-only lanes and bus-only lanes. Some managed lanes involve tolls, such as High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes or express lanes, providing an option for drivers to pay for a more expedited and reliable commute.

A regional transportation authority or Caltrans can be authorized by the California Transportation Commission to manage and operate toll lanes. For the Sacramento region, SACOG is the regional transportation authority for Sacramento, Yolo, Yuba, and Sutter counties and is working on a proposal to form a Joint Powers Authority, or JPA, in partnership with Yolo Transportation District (YTD) and Caltrans District 3 to manage and operate tolls in the Sacramento region and create a centralized system that can expand as toll lanes expand in the region.

A JPA is a collaborative entity formed by two or more public agencies to jointly exercise powers and undertake shared responsibilities for specific projects or services. Through a legally binding agreement, participating entities pool resources and authority to address common issues, fostering regional cooperation and efficiency in achieving mutual objectives.

The proposed Joint Powers Authority (JPA) between the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), Yolo Transportation District (YTD), and Caltrans District 3 proposes to establish a regional agency to lead the development of toll lanes in the Sacramento region. This collaborative effort will ensure toll prices, rules, and discounts are coordinated across the Sacramento region and reduce confusion for drivers. The proposed JPA would provide a one-stop shop for residents and drivers looking for information about existing and planned toll lanes in the region. The structure of the JPA, including who will sit on its Board and what its priorities will be, is under discussion. To make your voice heard on the structure of the JPA, email khanley@sacog.org.

The proposed JPA would adopt an expenditure plan that will be transparent about planned revenues, toll fees, operations, and how revenues will be distributed. By law, toll revenues are required to be spent within the corridor. The toll operations and maintenance costs must be paid before any other investments are made. The plan will be circulated for public comment prior to its adoption.

Tolling and managed lanes ease traffic by providing drivers with the option of choosing faster, less congested routes. This leads to improved overall traffic flow and reduced travel times for drivers both inside and outside the toll lane. Additionally, the revenue generated from tolling can be reinvested into transportation improvements, further enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the road network.

Toll rates would be set by the JPA with input from residents and drivers in the future. Toll lanes in the Sacramento region will use the same FasTrak system currently used in the Bay Area and Southern California. Residents of the Sacramento Region who already have a FasTrak account will be able to keep the same account and use it for any new toll lanes built.

Adding more lanes to highways may relieve traffic for a short amount of time, but eventually traffic comes back, and it is often worse than before. Toll lanes provide more reliable travel times for drivers and increase the use of carpooling and transit to provide a better, long-term solution to easing traffic in the region.