The Sacramento region could see its first toll lanes. Caltrans wants to know what you think.

Caltrans is asking the public for their thoughts on a possible $465 million project that could add toll lanes and other changes to Interstate 80 and Highway 50 between Sacramento and Davis.

The current plan would add a new toll lane in each direction, though it would remain free to carpools, buses and other high occupancy vehicles. Caltrans says the addition would help reduce congestion and encourage transit use. 

In addition to the toll lanes, the plan would upgrade bike and pedestrian lanes on the Yolo Causeway. Tolls would help Yolo Transit District bus and Capitol Corridor rail services.

“So there's also benefits to it not just from the tolling aspect of it,” said Dennis Keaton, a public information officer for Caltrans. “We're talking about a revamp of the overall freeway construction and infrastructure. ”

A map of the area Caltrans is considering for possible toll lanes.Courtesy Caltrans

Residents can view the plan for the project on the Caltrans website and submit feedback through an online survey. The survey is open until Jan. 5. 

Caltrans is also holding a series of public meetings, with the last one scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Mary L. Stephens Davis Branch Library at 315 E. 14th St. in Davis.

Keaton said that so far some common questions and concerns have been around how much this project will actually reduce congestion and what any eventual tolls may cost drivers. 

“Right now Caltrans is looking to keep the costs within what we currently may be charging in the Bay Area or in Southern California and not to go any higher than what we're currently charging on similar projects,” he said.

In terms of congestion, Keaton said the causeway itself is “outdated” and was built with a lower amount of traffic in mind.

“Right now, the actual highway widens a great deal as soon as you get into that Solano County side,” he said. “So you're talking about five or six lanes that all of a sudden drop down to three lanes when you come in through Davis and that continues in Sacramento County. So you're cutting about 50% of the lane capacity when you're coming through Yolo County and into Sacramento before it widens again.”

The project would be the Sacramento region’s first toll lane. The federal funding for the project — $86 million — was first announced back in 2021 and that money will expire next September if construction doesn’t move forward. 

If the project moves forward, construction could begin in October 2024 and last between three to five years.