The public is invited to join SANDAG and Caltrans on September 13, 2008 for the beginning of a transportation revolution in San Diego County as the community celebrates the opening of the brand new 4.5-mile extension of the I-15 Express Lanes from State Route (SR) 56/Ted Williams Parkway to Rancho Bernardo Road. The lanes are scheduled to open to traffic later in September.

San Diegans are encouraged to bring their family and friends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 13538 Sabre Springs Parkway for a special celebration featuring a unique opportunity to walk on the new Direct Access Ramp (DAR) that soars over I-15 and check out the Express Lanes from above. There also will be games for the kids, refreshments, informational booths, live music, and a commemorative giveaway (while supplies last)!

The new I-15 Express Lanes is the most innovative highway in the United States. The new 4.5 miles of Express Lanes will feature:

• Two northbound lanes and two southbound lanes available 24/7.
• New access points to and from the Express Lanes and the regular highway lanes at SR 56/Ted Williams Parkway, Camino del Norte, and Rancho Bernardo Road.
• A DAR at Sabre Springs/Peñasquitos. This ramp will provide priority access to the I-15 Express Lanes for transit, carpools/vanpools, and FasTrak users.

Funded in part by TransNet, the region’s half-cent sales tax for transportation, this $1.3 billion project eventually will stretch 20 miles along I-15. The entire project will be open in 2012.

For more information on the Express Lanes or FasTrak, visit www.511sd.com, or call 511 and say FasTrak to reach the Customer Service Center.