Why Build Express Lanes?

In the United States, the amount of vehicle miles traveled has increased more than 70 percent in the last 20 years. However, highway capacity has grown less than one percent during that time. 1 This trend has forced transportation departments nationwide to develop solutions to address this issue.

Significant challenges to many of these solutions remain, including right-of-way constraints, environmental impacts, societal concerns and high construction costs. However, by offering motorists a choice, express lanes reduce congestion on highways in an economically efficient way, thus providing reliable travel time options.

Jacksonville is the major economic hub for Northeast Florida. The network of roadways which connects the city to surrounding areas is critical to its economic health. As a result, FDOT is evaluating methods to manage the flow of traffic on existing interstate facilities; construction of express lanes is being considered as a viable option.

Here are some benefits of using the express lanes:

Time: Express lanes provide predictable travel times, especially during peak travel periods. Motorists that choose to use the express lanes travel at higher speeds than those in the more congested general use lanes. As more motorists choose to travel the express lanes, there will be less traffic using the general use lanes which would help save time for everyone.

Choices: Express lanes provide motorists with the option of a faster, more dependable trip.

Transit: When transit vehicles choose to take advantage of the express lanes, they will also reap the benefits of faster, more efficient travel resulting in higher ridership and a reduction in the total number of vehicles using general use lanes.

Mobility: All of the benefits mentioned above can be grouped into one overriding theme: increased mobility. Improved operations on the express lanes also have the potential to draw vehicles off parallel routes and improve overall traffic flow in the area.

Environmental Advantages: Reducing stop-and- go traffic lessens pollution and improves air quality.

Revenue Generator: It has been determined that the gas tax is not a sustainable source of revenue for the transportation industry. Express lanes will provide an additional source of revenue to support transportation operation and maintenance for these lanes and potentially other construction projects in the Jacksonville area.

1 Collier, Tina, and Ginger Goodin. Managed Lanes: A Cross-Cutting Study. Tech. no. FHWA-HOP-05-037, 2004.

Top Link Bar

Why Express Lanes?

Why Build Express Lanes?


© . This site is provided by the Florida Department of Transportation, District 2, Public Information Office.