SANDAG and Caltrans have great news for weekend motorists on Interstate 15. The I-15 Express Lanes in the center of the interstate opened for weekend travel starting Saturday, August 23.

The I-15 Express Lanes will remain open northbound around-the-clock on weekends for up to three months and then be reversed on weekends in the southbound direction for up to three months. It's all part of a pilot program to determine the most efficient direction for operation of the Express Lanes on weekends. Weekday operations will remain unchanged.

Carpools, vanpools, and buses can use the I-15 Express Lanes for free. FasTrak drivers (solo drivers with the FasTrak transponder) can use the lanes and pay a toll (typically 50 cents to $4 per trip).

"Our transportation system continues to evolve in response to the needs of the motoring public," said Caltrans District Director Pedro Orso-Delgado. "Countless people, both living in the region and those visiting, will greatly benefit from the Express Lanes being open on weekends."

SANDAG manages the I-15 FasTrak service. "We are delighted to provide more highway capacity and hopefully less traffic congestion for weekend commuters," said SANDAG Executive Director Gary Gallegos. He added, "The weekend operation of the FasTrak service is just one of the many improvements being funded by SANDAG and put into operation by Caltrans during the next several years to improve traffic along the I-15."

The weekday use of the eight-mile reversible lanes will remain unchanged, with traffic being routed in the southbound direction, from 5:30-11 a.m. and then switched and routed northbound from noon-7 p.m. During the week more than 22,000 vehicles per day use the I-15 Express Lanes. More than three-quarters of those vehicles are carpools, vanpools, and express buses.

Project Manager: Heather Werdick
(619) 595-5367