Bay Bridge metering lights technology to be upgraded

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Lawmakers are funneling more money to the Bay Bridge, this time to upgrade the metering lights. They haven't been redone since they were installed in 1974 and engineers say new technology could really help drivers.

How many times have you been stuck at the Bay Bridge toll plaza -- wondering why the red lights weren't green or the green lights not red? A new project in the works may soon make more sense out of your commute.

According to the San Jose Mercury News, the state approved an upgrade at the toll plaza that will allow the metering lights to almost instantly respond to minute-by-minute traffic patterns. Right now, the lights react to what engineers expect traffic to be like, not what is actually happening.

That may mean light traffic getting some red signals while during accidents and other traffic issues, you get green lights even though cars should be managed through the toll plaza. The Mercury News reports the lights were installed in 1974, with only a few tweaks since then, even though traffic has increased dramatically. FasTrak was implemented and the new eastern span was built.

Engineers also told the newspaper the metering system has been malfunctioning more often as the equipment ages. The state will replace equipment past the toll plaza -- including dozens of pavement detectors, new signal heads, and five message signs. The upgrade is expected to be completed by 2017.