Alameda CTC’s Express Lanes Program includes express lanes in operation and under construction on the I-580 and I-680 corridors in Alameda County. To learn more about the proposed Express Lanes Toll Enforcement Ordinance, visit our Express Lanes Toll Ordinance webpage.
Express lanes increase the efficiency of our transportation system by giving solo drivers the option to pay a toll for access into the carpool lanes when there is excess capacity, thereby reducing congestion.
Express lane operations are fully electronic: No toll booths or traffic gates. All you need is FasTrak® and you are good to go! Alameda CTC currently operates two express lane corridors. For information on how to use each of the corridors, click on the links below.
I-580 Express along the Tri-Valley corridor through Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore I-680 Sunol Express Lanes from Pleasanton to MilpitasA properly mounted valid FasTrak toll tag is required for all Express Lane users. In order to travel with toll discounts, carpoolers and those eligible to use carpool lanes need to have a FasTrak Flex® or FasTrak CAV toll tag. Get a toll tag today.
Resolve Toll Violations
If you have penalties for open toll violations, you may be eligible to receive a waiver or settlement for some or all of your accumulated penalties and may be able to pay off your debt over time, depending on your household income. Visit here or call the FasTrak® Customer Service Center at 877-BAY-TOLL (877-229-8655) to learn more about waivers and payment plans.Vehicles equipped with FasTrak® can enter or exit the lanes nearly anywhere along express lane corridors, except where access is restricted by a single or double solid white line. Electronic signs display the current toll for solo drivers with FasTrak. When the FasTrak-equipped vehicle passes under a reader, the correct toll is automatically deducted from the driver’s prepaid FasTrak account. No toll booths, no stopping.
The I-580 and I-680 express lanes mostly have “open,” or “nearly-continuous” access configurations, meaning drivers may enter and exit the express lanes at any location similar to how they enter and exit carpool lanes today. Where necessary, due to operational or safety issues, sections of the express lanes will have limited access, meaning that entry and exit to/from the express lane is allowed only at certain locations. Where access is limited, special signage and lane striping will help direct drivers about where to enter and exit. The I-580 Express Lanes have a portion of limited access in each direction to reduce merging incidents.
Both the I-580 and the I-680 Sunol Express Lanes operate Monday - Friday 5am-8pm. All other times (nights and weekends) the express lanes are open to all with no toll and no toll tag requirements.
Tolls are collected electronically via FasTrak®, just like on Bay Area toll bridges. Tolls are collected only during the express lane hours of operation as posted on freeway signs. Overhead electronic pricing signs display the current toll rates, which change throughout the day to keep traffic moving and maintain reliable speeds in the express lane.
On the I-580 and I-680 express lanes, a properly mounted FasTrak Flex® or CAV toll tag is required to receive toll discounts. A FasTrak Flex toll tag has a switch that can be set in one of three positions indicating that the vehicle has one, two, or three or more occupants. When set on 2 or 3+, the tolling equipment knows not to charge that vehicle a toll. When set on 1, tolls will be charged. Solo drivers may use either a FasTrak Flex set to 1, or a standard FasTrak toll tag. Solo drivers in eligible clean air vehicles can receive a 50% toll discount when using a FasTrak CAV toll tag.
The tolls vary based on traffic levels in the Express Lanes to ensure traffic in the lanes continues to flow smoothly. As traffic increases, the toll increases. As traffic subsides, so does the toll. This process is called "dynamic pricing.” Dynamic pricing works to ensure that traffic flows smoothly in the express lane. Here’s how it works: Tolls are set based on the amount of traffic traveling in the express lane at any given time. During peak periods, when there is more traffic on the express lane, the toll will be higher. During off-peak periods, when fewer vehicles are using the lane, the toll will be lower. By raising or lowering the toll in response to the level of demand, dynamic pricing effectively manages congestion ensuring the express lane flows smoothly. Dynamic pricing has been used successfully in various places across the country, including San Diego, Seattle, Minneapolis, Miami, Denver, and Dallas, with other new projects planned or under construction across the nation.
Express lanes offer faster, more reliable travel to bypass traffic congestion. In the Bay Area, express lanes allow toll-free travel for carpools, vanpools, motorcycles, and transit buses. On I-580 and I-680 express lanes, carpools with two or more occupants with a FasTrak Flex toll tag travel toll-free. Solo drivers in eligible clean air vehicles receive a 50% toll discount when using a FasTrak CAV toll tag.
- The I-680 Sunol Express Lane located on a 14-mile stretch of I-680 between SR 84 in Pleasanton and SR 237 in Milpitas, operated by Alameda CTC;
- The I-580 Express Lanes east- and westbound in the Tri-Valley through Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore, operated by Alameda CTC;
- The SR 237/I-880 corridor express lanes in Santa Clara County, operated by VTA.
- The I-680 Contra Costa Express Lanes between Walnut Creek and San Ramon, operated by MTC;
- The I-880 Express Lanes between Hegenberger Rd in Oakland and Dixon Landing Rd in Milpitas, operated by MTC; and
- The San Mateo 101 Express Lanes between I-380 and the San Mateo/Santa Clara County line.
On I-680 Sunol, toll rates have been established based on historic traffic conditions. The pricing varies by day of the week and by time of day; it can change as frequently as every 5 minutes.
On I-580, toll rates are calculated based on real-time traffic conditions (speed and volume) in both the express lanes and the general purpose lanes and can change as frequently as every 3 minutes.
The I-680 Sunol and I-580 Express Lanes operate 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Outside of the hours of operation, these express lanes are free for all vehicles and a FasTrak® toll tag is not needed.
Carpoolers must obtain a FastTrak Flex® toll tag and set the occupancy to 2 or 3+ prior to entering express lanes in order to travel toll-free travel.
No. Drivers only need one toll tag in the vehicle so standard tags may be returned when it is replaced with a flex tag. If multiple tags are in a vehicle, the toll system may detect the additional tag(s) and the trip may result in multiple toll charges.
Larger trucks or cars towing a trailer (three or more total axles) may not drive in the express lanes, even if they qualify for carpool. Passenger vehicles and trucks with two axles may use the lanes. Public and private transit buses, and motorcycles can use the lanes. Vehicles allowed in express lanes must follow requirements for either carpool-eligible or solo travel, see above.
On the I-580 Express Lanes and I-680 Sunol Express Lane, your toll tag will beep twice every time it is detected by one of the overhead toll gantries. This is how you know that your toll tag is properly mounted and being read by the toll system. The express lane toll assessed is based on the first and last gantry location the toll tag is detected.
FasTrak® is a registered trademark and is the standard for electronic toll collection in the state of California. It is interoperable on all toll roads and bridges statewide.
A Fastrak toll tag is required for all express lanes users. In order to travel with toll discounts, carpoolers and those eligible to use carpool lanes need to have a FasTrak Flex® or FasTrak CAV toll tag (see below).
FasTrak Flex® is a newer type of toll tag that allows carpoolers to declare the number of occupants in the vehicle while helping to provide additional enforcement to support the safe and proper use of express lanes. FasTrak Flex toll tags have a switch mechanism that drivers use to match the number of people in their vehicle. On I-580 and I-680 express lanes, vehicles with two or more occupants need a FasTrak Flex set in the 2 or 3+ position to travel toll-free.
FasTrak CAV toll tags are issued to eligible clean air vehicles and also allow drivers to set the tag in a switch position that matches the number of people in their vehicles. When a FasTrak CAV tag is set in the 1 position, the vehicle wil receive a 50% discount. When set in the 2 or 3+ positions (and with the required number of occupants in the vehicle), the vehicle will receive a toll-free trip.
Yes. The toll tag mounted to your windshield can be moved from vehicle to vehicle as long as it is properly mounted at each location, as described in the Mounting Instructions. It is recommended that the vehicle information, including license plate number, make, and model for each vehicle, be listed on your account. However, to avoid potential problems, we recommend that you obtain toll tags for each vehicle.
If a toll tag is lost or stolen, please call the FasTrak® Customer Service Center immediately at 1-877-229-8655, or log into your account at www.bayareafastrak.org and report your toll tag as lost or stolen. You remain liable for all tolls charged to your toll tag until you have notified the Customer Service Center that your toll tag has been lost or stolen. In addition, you will be charged $20 for each toll tag entrusted to your possession that has been stolen, unless an official police report is provided.
If you have a valid FasTrak® toll tag – either your own or one obtained through the rental car company – you can use the Express Lanes the same way any other vehicle can.
If you are a solo driver, you must either have a valid FasTrak properly mounted in the vehicle or you must have signed up for a rental car tolling program. Otherwise, you will be responsible for a violation notice which will include the tolls plus penalties and fees. It is a violation of the toll evasion statutes under California Vehicle Code Section 23302 et seq. and Streets and Highways Code Section 30843 if you fail to pay the established toll.
If you are a carpool, you must have a properly mounted FasTrak Flex toll tag set to the 2 or 3+ position for toll-free travel. Failure to use a FasTrak Flex toll tag will result in the vehicle being treated as a solo occupancy vehicle.
