Body of News Release
The following is a joint news release from the County of Marin, the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM), the Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authority (SCTCA), and the Office of State Assemblymember Damon Connolly.
Marin County, CA – Adjustments are coming soon for operational hours of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on Highway 101 in Marin and Sonoma counties following sustained advocacy by local and state elected officials, regional transportation agencies, and highway commuters.
The December 18 announcement from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) was embraced by partners from the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM), the Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authority (SCTCA), State Assemblymember Damon Connolly, and the County of Marin.
Caltrans headquarters and its District 4 leadership committed to accelerating both the traffic data analysis and the timeline for adjusting the HOV lane hours that went into effect in September. Caltrans committed to:
- Complete traffic data analysis and determine permanent HOV lane hours by the end of January 2026; and
- Allow the updated HOV hours to be implemented quickly, with signage changes reflecting the new hours in February 2026.
Connolly and elected leaders from TAM, SCTCA, and the Marin County Board of Supervisors regularly commute on Highway 101 and have been urging the state agency to respond to the real-world traffic conditions experienced by residents. All five Marin Supervisors sit on the TAM board.
In September, Caltrans significantly expanded the duration of the HOV lane hours during the peak morning and afternoon commutes. Additionally, in October, the federal government changed the rules that allowed electric vehicle drivers to use HOV lanes – mandating that EV drivers nationwide now must use regular lanes unless they meet the HOV occupancy.
“After months of frustration faced by residents traveling across the North Bay, I am pleased to report that a collaborative effort working with Caltrans, TAM and SCTCA resulted in a deal to change HOV hours to better reflect the realities of Sonoma and Marin commuters,” Connolly said. “The North Bay has invested, both locally and regionally, in the Marin-Sonoma Narrows Corridor. Our residents deserve a transportation system that responds to their needs. I remain committed to working with all transportation and community partners to ensure Highway 101 functions as intended to relieve congestion, improve mobility, and support the daily lives of North Bay residents.”
The County of Marin is the largest employer in Marin County with more than 2,300 workers, many of whom use Highway 101 daily. Two-thirds of the County workforce lives outside of Marin.
“Commuters have been experiencing substantially longer commute times since the new hours have gone into effect,” said Marin District 5 Supervisor Eric Lucan, a TAM board member who represents most of Novato. “Not only have I heard directly from numerous people, as a regular commuter, I have been experiencing the same frustration. I appreciate Caltrans’ willingness to work with us to find a solution that balances congestion relief, environmental sustainability, and the community’s need for a smoother, more reliable commute.”
In October, TAM and SCTCA sent a joint letter to Caltrans requesting that the expanded HOV hours be reduced and that Caltrans expedite its evaluation of traffic impacts. After engaging with Marin and Sonoma partners, Caltrans demonstrated meaningful responsiveness and a willingness to adjust its original timeline.
In addition, Caltrans noted that ramp metering is continuing to roll out along the 101 corridor in two counties as part of broader traffic management efforts. Metering has proven to help manage freeway flow and reduce congestion during peak travel periods. Nine ramp meters were activated earlier this month on northbound and southbound 101, with additional metering scheduled to come online as funding becomes available.
Regional partners also emphasized the importance of maintaining the benefits of carpooling and transit while responding to congestion impacts experienced by North Bay commuters.
“I believe we can maintain our commitment to encouraging carpooling and transit use while also avoiding hours of unnecessary gridlock for North Bay commuters,” said SCTCA Chair Lynda Hopkins. “I look forward to working with Caltrans to achieve balance in the new year as they implement hours that are customized for Sonoma and Marin.”
Additional updates will be shared by Caltrans as it completes its analysis and moves toward implementing the revised HOV lane hours in early 2026.