Price of the Spring Valley-Otay Mesa Toll Road On SR-125 Could Go Down

The cost for drivers who use the state Route 125 toll road between Otay Mesa and Spring Valley could drop after the highway is purchased by the San Diego Association of Governments, according to a report to be delivered Friday to the agency's board of directors.

SANDAG, made up of the various governing bodies in San Diego County, plans to close the deal with the current owner of the lightly traveled stretch of road, aka the South Bay Expressway, by Dec. 21. The board voted in July to

The highway opened in 2007 but failed to catch on with commuters, many of whom complained of excessive toll charges. Prices now range up to $4 per trip.

The report on financing the purchase calls for phasing in reductions in toll charges and tracking use of the highway at the different price levels. The rates could eventually be sliced in half.

SANDAG staff also reported that while the roadway was generally maintained to Caltrans standards, future repairs to portions of the pavement and on bridges will be required. Expressway officials have offered to maintain staffing during a six-month transition period.

–City News Service