Highway Projects

Route 237/I-880 Interchange Project

Field Activity Report

Overview

This project includes two elements:

• Direct high occupancy vehicle (HOV, or carpool) connectors from southbound I-880 to westbound Route 237 and from eastbound Route 237 to northbound I-880
• A southbound "braided" exit ramp from I-880 to Tasman Drive.

Project Objective

To reduce traffic congestion as well as improve interchange access and safety.

Project Features

HOV direct connectors are relatively new to the Bay Area. Current HOV configurations on most freeways require that "high occupancy vehicles," (those cars with at least two occupants, shuttles and buses), cross other traffic lanes to exit the freeway and then merge across multiple lanes to the HOV lane on another freeway. In contrast, HOV direct connectors are structures that provide uninterrupted HOV access between freeways.

"Braided" ramps are structures designed to separate traffic using the same stretch of road for competing purposes, such as entering and exiting a freeway. These ramps will separate traffic that is exiting I-880 to Tasman Drive from traffic that is entering onto I-880 from Route 237.

Maintenance of Traffic Flow

For the safety of the public and construction workers, traffic control measures (such as temporary laneclosures and detours) will be used when needed. Contractors will make every effort to maintain access and minimize disruptions.

Operations

Use of HOV lanes is restricted during commute hours (commonly weekdays between 5:00 a.m. to 9:00a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) to vehicles carrying two or more occupants. Upon completion, Caltrans would operate and maintain the new highway interchange.

Capital Cost/Project Funding

$50 million: $25.7 million from 1996 Measure B funding, $23.6 million in State funds, $0.6 million in Swap funds and $0.1 million in City of Milpitas funds.

Project Schedule:

Construction begins: November 2002
Project completed: Spring 2005

For More Information:

For more information on the highway projects or existing bus and rail transit service, call VTA Community Outreach at (408) 321-7575; TDD only (408) 321-2330.