Q: David Rubio of Grand Terrace asked, if a freeway has three lanes plus a carpool lane (so four lanes total), such as parts of the 91 Freeway in Riverside, and the lane closest to the right is closed, does it mean large trucks can now use the ‘fast lane’? Also in this case, would the carpool lane remain a carpool-only lane?
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Rubio also asked a second question about speed limit signs near Grand Terrace High School.
A photo Rubio emailed shows the front area of Grand Terrace High when traveling Main Street toward the 215 Freeway. Several posted signs are shown. The first sign shows a speed limit of 40 mph. Right next to that sign is a second sign showing a speed limit of 25 mph. “Yes, I assume that is when children are present, yet it doesn’t state that,” Rubio said. Slightly further down the street is a sign posting a 25 mph speed limit — this one does say when children are present.
“Note that all three of these signs are very close to each other. What is the correct limit when there are not any children present?” Rubio asked.
A: Let’s take the first question first. The closure of a lane does not change existing lane restrictions for commercial vehicles, said Officer Ivan Sandoval of the California Highway Patrol Inland Division. Vehicles like large trucks are still prohibited from using the far left lane (also called the No. 1 lane or the ‘fast lane’), even if another lane is closed, he said. The carpool lane also remains restricted to vehicles meeting high-occupancy vehicle requirements and is not opened to general or commercial traffic unless specifically indicated by posted signs, Sandoval said.
As for the second question, the posted 40 mph speed limit is the standard speed when children are not present, Sandoval said.
“The reduced 25 mph speed applies specifically during times when children are present, even if that condition is not explicitly stated on every sign,” he said.
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“Drivers should always exercise increased caution in school zones and adhere to the lower speed when children are visible or likely to be present,” Sandoval said.
Multiple signs like what’s happening in Grand Terrace can be confusing to drivers, maybe that can be fixed.
Bike trail update
Q: “We keep getting mixed signals as to what is happening with the bike trail proposal between Highland and Redlands,” said Joe Nash from San Bernardino County. “Are there any updates that you can give?”
A: This project has been in the works for quite a while but has been slowed by high environmental costs, state approvals and funding issues. The project seeks to connect Redlands’ and Highlands’ separate bike and pedestrian trails by building a path that crossed the Santa Ana River along Boulder Avenue/Orange Street. This project is led by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, with partial funding from Redlands and Highland.
“The final design is underway, and SBCTA is collaborating with the state for environmental clearance. If all approvals are received, construction is scheduled to begin in February 2027,” said Carl Baker, a spokesperson for the city of Redlands.
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