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Politics

SANDAG To Take Over Operation Of S.R. 125

A map of the South Bay Expressway.
South Bay Expressway
A map of the South Bay Expressway.
SANDAG To Take Over Operation Of S.R. 125
A new operator is taking control of a South Bay toll road that recently emerged from bankruptcy.

The San Diego Association of Governments will pay $345 million to take over operation of the South Bay Expressway. The 10-mile toll road was valued at $287 million when it emerged from bankruptcy in March.

But SANDAG Chair Jerome Stocks said buying the road will save money in the long run and will provide traffic improvements to the area sooner.

"There was a future project that was identified where we would put in a second managed lane in each direction in that same corridor there on the 805. That was projected to cost $688 million," he said. "Instead we can pick up the 125, which serves that very same area, and there’s your four managed lanes."

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Stocks said SANDAG expects the number of drivers using the road to increase significantly in the future. Right now about 26,000 cars use the road during the work week The SANDAG Board will decide later whether to continue charging a toll for the road.

A big decision awaits some voters this April as the race for San Diego County’s Supervisor District 1 seat heats up. Are you ready to vote? Check out the KPBS Voter Hub to learn about the candidates, the key issues the board is facing and how you can make your voice heard.