Metering Lights Are On Their Way to Highway 12

While traveling westbound on Highway 12, you may have noticed a sign near the intersection of Beck Avenue. Amongst the Solano Transportation Authority and Caltrans logos, the sign reads “I-80 Ramp Metering” and a year of completion of 2011.

“We are planning to be done with all meter light installation by mid-spring 2011,” said Marcus Wagner, Caltrans Public Information Officer.

Although the lights will go in, Caltrans doesn't plan to turn them on soon. Wagner did not want to give an actual date as to when Caltrans hopes to be done with the installation of ramp metering, but he did hint that it could be as early as this month, contingent on weather conditions.

There are several other locations throughout Fairfield, Vallejo, Vacaville and Dixon that are being considered for ramp metering installation, as well. Installation of the device does not necessarily mean it will be turned on immediately, however.

“When the HOV lanes were installed there was a requirement that you have to have the equipment installed, but the turning on of the equipment doesn’t happen until there’s an agreement between the affected cities and Caltrans,” said Darryl Halls, Executive Director of Solano Transportation Authority.

Halls said that HOV lanes, also known as carpool lanes, are planned throughout the I-80 corridor. Subsequently, meetings are being held between Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, and Dixon city officials and engineers, as well as Caltrans, to discuss planning and impact of the ramp metering and other equipment.

“We’re getting ready to bring a presentation on this topic to our board at the STA, and then well be putting information up on our website and we’re encouraging Caltrans to get that information out on the subject,” said Halls.

Halls said the information will be available within the next couple of months. There will also be public meetings held for open community discussions on the matter. He said though Caltrans may have its own goals set up for installation, he does not anticipate the bulk of the work to be completed until 2012.

“There’s definitely some benefits to having these things installed, but we also want to make sure that local issues are addressed,” he said.

Correction: An earlier version of this story gave the wrong direction drivers would have to be heading on Highway 12 to see the Caltrans sign.