Governor Signs Cervantes Bill to Study Conversion of Riverside County Carpool Lanes

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Assembly Bill 91 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. AB 91 will help ease late-night traffic jams in Riverside County by requiring a study of the feasibility of allowing single-occupancy cars to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, commonly known as “carpool lanes,” during non-peak traffic hours. In particular, the Department of Transportation (CalTrans) will study the possible effects of converting carpool lanes in Riverside County on both State Route 91 between Interstate 15 and Interstate 215, and on State Route 60.

“I am thrilled that the Governor has signed Assembly Bill 91. Nothing affects the quality of life of the residents of Western Riverside County more than freeway traffic,” Assemblymember Cervantes said. “Carpool lanes are an important tool to reduce traffic and make our air cleaner. This bill will help determine whether allowing all vehicles to use carpool lanes during certain times of the day will reduce traffic, while allowing Riverside County to continue to comply with federal law.”

Carpool lanes that use “part-time operation” limit access to eligible vehicles only during peak traffic hours on weekdays. This mode of operation is commonly used in Northern California. In Southern California, carpool lanes often use “full-time operation,” and are enforced twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

The data from the CalTrans study will provide Riverside County with sufficient information to make a reasoned, informed, and scientific determination about whether to convert these carpool lanes to “part-time operation.” The data from this study could also be used to justify a conversion to federal regulators, and ensure that such a conversion would allow Riverside County to remain compliant with its federal Clean Air Act obligations.

Assembly Bill 91 goes into effect on January 1, 2019. You can find more information about the bill here. 

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Sabrina Cervantes proudly represents the 60th District of the California State Assembly, which encompasses the communities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, and a portion of the City of Riverside.