California Reportedly Considering Adding Toll, Truck Lanes

alifornia Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) plans to propose Thursday adding special toll lanes, including some exclusively for trucks, on the state’s freeways, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Schwarzenegger also plans to speed their construction by easing environmental reviews, the paper said.

The proposal is part of a multibillion-dollar public works agenda the governor will unveil during his annual “State of the State” speech, officials told the Times.

Among consideration are projects that call for building a dedicated truck lane on the Long Beach Freeway, leading to the busy ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, the Times reported.

It would also add a toll lane for all vehicles on Interstate 680 in the Bay Area, where rates would vary depending on the time of day and degree of congestion, it reported.

Under the plan, local officials would make the final decisions if the plans were approved by state lawmakers, the paper reported.