Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s legislation to help reduce traffic and increase the efficiency of Los Angeles County’s freeway system was sent to the Governor’s desk after receiving final approval from the State Senate on a 34-0 vote.  The bill, AB 210, will create a pilot project to help ease traffic congestion during non-traditional commutes by permitting single-occupancy vehicles to access the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, also known as “carpool lanes,” during non-peak hours.  Passage in the Senate was managed by Senator Carol Liu (La Cañada Flintridge), whose district is also affected by the bill.

“It’s happened to anyone who lives in Southern California.  A late-night accident or mysterious slowing clogs the rightmost freeway lanes, while the carpool lane sits empty,” said Gatto.  “AB 210 is a cost-effective way to expand capacity on the state’s highway system and ensure that non-peak hour travelers can travel to and from home, or work and deliver goods and services efficiently.”

Unlike Northern California, where HOV lane restrictions are in place only during peak commute hours, HOV lanes in Southern California are restricted on a 24-hour basis; however, many commuters along the 134 and 210 corridor do not work traditional hours.

“Carpool lanes are intended to increase the capacities of our freeways, reward those who carpool during rush hour, and protect the surrounding environment from harmful exhaust,” explained Gatto.  “When motorists are stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic at midnight while carpool lanes sit empty, none of those goals are met.”

The legislation will also allow access to HOV lanes during off-peak travel hours on the 134 freeway from North Hollywood to Pasadena, including Burbank and Glendale; the 210 freeway from Pasadena to Glendora, including the San Gabriel Valley communities of Monrovia, Duarte, and San Dimas; and other freeways in Los Angeles County deemed appropriate by the Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

“Traffic congestion is always bad during rush hour, but there is no need for it to be bad during non-traditional commutes,” said Gatto.  “With AB 210, drivers will be able to save precious time.”