Work underway to install toll lanes on I-680 in Contra Costa County

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- Work is underway on the first of three express lane segments that will eventually run from the Benicia Bridge to San Ramon. It's for drivers willing to pay extra for the promise of a faster commute.

Traffic is obviously a big issue for people in the Bay Area, but the hope is the express lanes on I-680 will make your morning and evening commute faster.

Construction began overnight. The lanes will eventually go in both directions on I-680, from the Benicia Bridge to Alcosta Boulevard in San Ramon. Workers will be preparing the highway for the installation of fiber optic cables. Those will bring the information to the overhead signs alerting drivers to the tolls.

Carpoolers, motorcyclists and certain clean air vehicles can use the HOV lanes now. They will still be able to use the express lanes for free, but according to the newspaper, by 2016, solo drivers will be able to pay to drive in those lanes. The price will depend on how much traffic there is -- the more traffic, the more you'll pay. This will be done using FasTrak. Carpoolers will be given FasTrak Flex cards to indicate how many people are in their car.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission estimates drivers will be able to save anywhere from five to ten minutes on average during their commute.

Construction will take place during the weekdays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.