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Metro Break Ground On 'ExpressLanes' Project

GARDENA (CBS) — Officials broke ground Wednesday on a pilot project that will add express lanes to two crowded Southland freeways.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority says "ExpressLanes" will transform 25 miles of carpool lanes on the 110 and 10 freeways into high-occupancy toll lanes.

The project includes 11 miles of existing carpool lanes in both directions on the 110 Freeway between the Artesia Transit Center in Gardena and Adams Boulevard near downtown L.A.

Depending on traffic, solo drivers will be required to pay tolls that range from 25 cents to $1.40 per mile.

Metro won't open the lanes until 2013, but many commuters are already fired up.

"We pay for everything. Now we're gonna have to pay to drive in the carpool lane? I don't think that's fair," says Angela Dennis, who commutes from Lakewood to West Los Angeles every day.

Carpoolers with at least one passenger will still be able to use the express lanes on the 110 Freeway for free.

On Interstate 10, however, only drivers with two or more passengers will get free access to the lanes at all time. Drivers with only one passenger will have to pay to use the lanes during rush hour from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m, but they will be free during non-peak travel times.

The pilot program will be evaluated after one year.

For more information, visit Metro.

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