The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC), in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), environmentally cleared the construction of a high occupancy vehicle (HOV)/ express lane on northbound Interstate 680 (I-680) from the State Route 237 (SR-237) interchange in Santa Clara County to north of the State Route 84 (SR-84) interchange in Alameda County. The project was split into two phases to expedite the delivery. Phase 1 broke ground in April 2018. Phase 1 (From State Route 262 (SR-262) to SR-84.)
- Widen the freeway to accommodate the HOV/express lane together with several auxiliary lanes to facilitate the smooth and safe transition of traffic between local streets and the freeway between interchanges.
- Add a new 9-mile HOV/express lane and associated improvements between Auto Mall Parkway and SR-84, providing congestion relief in the corridor.
- Upgrade the I-680 Southbound Express Lane access configuration from controlled access to a near continuous access configuration.
- Modify bridge crossings.
- Construct retaining walls to accommodate the widening.
- Repave the full project limits. Phase 2 (Will widen from SR-262 to the County line.)
- Construct HOV/high occupancy toll lanes in the northbound direction on I-680 from the county line south of SR-262.
- Construct nearly five miles of HOV/express lane along the I-680 corridor through widening, along with other necessary improvements, including structure widening/modification and retaining walls.
For total project cost and phase information, see the project Fact Sheets tab.
A Ribbon Cutting Celebration
A Virtual Celebration
Thursday, October 29, 2020 Alameda CTC held its first virtual ribbon cutting for the Interstate 680 (I-680) Sunol Northbound Express Lane. The celebration commemorated completion of construction of nine miles of a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV)/continuous access express lane in the northbound direction on I-680 between State Route 262 and State Route 84 (SR-84). Additionally, the adjacent I-680 Southbound Express Lane was upgraded to improve access. Tolling operations for both directions will begin on March 31, 2023. Work on the I-680 Sunol Northbound Express Lane (Phase I) included:- Widening the freeway to accommodate the HOV/express lane together with several auxiliary lanes to facilitate the smooth and safe transition of traffic between local streets and the freeway between interchanges.
- Addition of a new northbound 9-mile HOV/express lane and associated improvements between Auto Mall Parkway and SR-84, providing congestion relief in the corridor.
- Upgrade of the I-680 Southbound Express Lane access configuration from controlled access to a near continuous access configuration.
- Modification of bridge crossings.
- Construction of retaining walls to accommodate the widening.
- Repaving the full project limits.
Event Materials
- Event Program
- Video of the Virtual Ribbon Cutting (below)

Please direct all media inquiries to:
Remy Goldsmith
Principal Program Analyst
510.208.7409 rgoldsmith@alamedactc.org
Remy Goldsmith
Principal Program Analyst
510.208.7409 rgoldsmith@alamedactc.org For recent press releases, visit our Press Room.