A 405 Express Lanes sign might be confusing to some

Q. Dear Honk: I entered the northbound 405 Express Lanes because the sign at the entrance point said “Magnolia” (with some dollar amount). To me, the implication of that sign is that you can use the Express Lanes to access the Magnolia Street freeway exit. But, in fact, you cannot. The Express Lanes carry you past the Magnolia exit and you cannot exit them and then leave the freeway until Beach Boulevard. I feel that signage is misleading. It is electronic, so it would be easy to change!

– Vic Leipzig, Huntington Beach

A. “The Honk reader is … correct,” Joel Zlotnik, spokesman for the Orange County Transportation Authority, said of Vic’s descriptions about the signs and exit locations. “I’m guessing regularly reading the column keeps (him) sharp.”

That is a given, sir.

Yes, signs along the route tell motorists the cost of the upcoming stretches they might take.

“The specific sign the reader is referring to lists ‘Magnolia’ because there’s an exit point for the 405 Express Lanes near Magnolia Street,” Zlotnik said in an email. “However, that exit point is past the Magnolia Street freeway off-ramp, so drivers wanting to get off the freeway at Magnolia would have to exit the Express Lanes earlier.

“We appreciate your reader bringing up the concern and understand how it may be confusing,” he said. “The 405 Express Lanes opened just five months ago on Dec. 1. Because they are new, we’re watching things closely with an eye toward making any adjustments that may be needed. This includes evaluating the electronic sign displays to make them as clear as possible for drivers.”

He pointed out there are metal signs that tell drivers when to leave the Express Lanes to enter the regular freeway and prepare to slide over to particular off-ramps that will come before the next Express Lanes exit.

Q. We travel frequently between Covina and Palm Springs. When is the 10 Freeway expected to be open without construction delays? Mostly that construction is in Ontario, roughly between Mountain and Etiwanda avenues. Also, there are signs about an upcoming toll road along the way. How will that work?

– Jon Cowper, Covina

A. Completion of the freeway stretch you are concerned about has been delayed a year, Jon, but officials are hopeful the bulk of the construction will be completed this summer – allowing the opening of the SB Express Lanes there.

The first of three phases, covering the 10 miles from the Los Angeles County border east to just past the 15 Freeway, is adding a new express lane in each direction and also converting the carpool lane into a second express lane.

“The construction does have an effect on traffic,” said Tim Watkins, chief of legislative and public affairs for the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority. “We are doing our best to open as soon as we can.”

Lane closures are mostly at night, with at least two lanes kept open. Other work, such as requiring ramps to close or construction on nearby streets, can certainly prompt congestion as well. Some work is done during the day.

The SB Express Lanes will be free for vehicles with three or more occupants, and pricing will be based on demand. Each side will have several places where motorists can slide in or out.

When the Express Lanes do open, construction not only will leave the freeway itself – further work will proceed off to the side – but the 10 will have added a lane, albeit the traditional carpool lane will disappear.

To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk