Orange Freeway Link Creates Longest Carpool Lane

The longest continuous stretch of carpool lanes in the state is now open for motorists driving a 50-mile stretch between Diamond Bar and San Clemente.

Two high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes opened Friday and today on the Orange Freeway between the Birch Street under-crossing in Brea to the Orange Freeway and Pomona Freeway interchange.

With carpool lanes already open on the southern stretches of the Orange Freeway and Interstate 5, motorists who carpool can now can travel uninterrupted between Diamond Bar and San Clemente, Caltrans spokesman Rick Holland said.

Entry and exit locations to the new HOV southbound lane, indicated by signs and broken white lines on the lane, are at Pathfinder Road, Cold Spring Lane, Brea Canyon Road, Tonner Canyon Road and Lambert Road.

The northbound entry and exit locations are at Lambert, Tonner Canyon, Brea Canyon and Diamond Bar Boulevard.

The purpose of carpool lanes, Holland said, “is to move more people than vehicles.”

Only cars and trucks that carry two or more people can use the carpool lanes, which are divided from the rest of the freeway lanes. Solo motorists face a $271 fine if they are caught using carpool lanes. Motorcycles carrying only one person are allowed in the special lanes.

Some carpool lanes carry 40% of the total number of freeway commuters, Holland said.

As the HOV system expands on Southland freeways, Holland said it should provide more incentive for people to carpool.

Sharing rides also helps to improve the air quality and relieve congestion, Holland said.

Holland said Caltrans plans to have HOV lanes on every freeway in Orange, Los Angeles and Ventura counties by 2000.

Motorists interested in finding a carpool partner can call 1 (800) Commute.