January 21, 2026
Rosie Ureno – City Traffic Engineer
Leah Colmard – Associate Engineer
That the City Council provide direction on exploring a Cordon Pricing program for the Green River Road/Foothill Parkway corridor to deter cut-through traffic.
2 • On October 14, 2025, Vice Mayor Speake
requested staff to explore a Cordon Pricing
program for the Green River Road/Foothill
Parkway corridor to deter cut-through traffic
o Concept: the city would charge a toll to
vehicles entering/exiting the city from the
91 and 15 freeways within an allotted time
frame
o The purpose would be to reduce the
impacts of motorists cutting through
Corona to avoid traffic on the 91 and 15
freeways
o Corona residents who enter and exit the
area would be exempted
3 • On October 14, 2025, Vice Mayor Speake
requested staff to explore a Cordon Pricing
program for the Green River Road/Foothill
Parkway corridor to deter cut-through traffic
o Concept: the city would charge a toll to
vehicles entering/exiting the city from the
91 and 15 freeways within an allotted time
frame
o The purpose would be to reduce the
impacts of motorists cutting through
Corona to avoid traffic on the 91 and 15
freeways
o Corona residents who enter and exit the
area would be exempted
4 5
Is a type of dynamic zone-based pricing implemented during times of heavy vehicle congestion. Any motorist who enters and exits the designated zone must pay a fee. 6 Example: New York City (further explored in presentation) A public or private road, bridge, or tunnel that requires a fee to use. Generated revenue is often used to finance the roadway's construction, maintenance, and operation. 7 Examples:
CA SR-73 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach 91 Express Lanes CA SR-241 Cordon Pricing Toll Roads
Primary
Goal
To manage traffic demand and reduce
congestion, emissions, and noise in a specific,
dense urban area.
To generate revenue for the construction,
maintenance, and operation of a specific road, bridge,
or tunnel.
Area of
Effect
Charges drivers for crossing a defined boundary
or "cordon" around a city center or highly
congested zone, rather than for using a specific
road.
Applies to a specific road. Drivers pay for the privilege of using that particular piece of infrastructure.
Fee
Structure
Often a flat daily fee to enter or drive within the
zone. Some schemes use variable pricing that
changes based on the time of day.
The toll can be a fixed fee or vary by distance
traveled, vehicle type, or time of day.
Examples
Systems have been fully implemented in city
centers like London, Stockholm, and Singapore.
Found across many highways, bridges, and tunnels
worldwide, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike, New
Jersey Turnpike, and California’s toll roads.
Potential
Impacts
Encourages the use of public transit, cycling, and
walking within the city center. It can also reduce
traffic delays and improve air quality.
Provides a faster travel option for drivers willing to
pay and can fund transportation projects without
relying solely on general taxation.
8 9
San Francisco
Downtown Area
Has paused the study “in light of the
changing and fluid conditions surrounding
traffic conditions and transit use.”
Study on Pause
Los Angeles
Santa Monica Mountains,
I-10 West, Downtown LA
Forecasted to open in 2028
“Metro is refining the concept design for
these potential pricing areas based on
modeling results and public feedback.”
Refining Concepts
(Not Implemented)
New York
Downtown Area
60,000 fewer vehicles entering zone per day
$48 million generated during the project’s
first month
Various lawsuits against congestion pricing
are currently in review by the courts,
including one involving the current federal
administration.
Implemented
January 2025
Cordon Pricing
10 Case Study
• Get traffic moving
• Increase safety
• Improve air quality
• Advance equity
• Smaller zone in the downtown area (shown in darker shade) • Larger zone that adds Mission Bay and northeast neighborhoods (shown in lighter shade)
• Has paused the study “in light of the changing and fluid conditions surrounding traffic conditions and transit use”
• If the program is implemented, a 5-year phased approach to pricing is proposed • Applied during weekdays 6 AM – 9 AM and 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM • Based on driver’s income
• Applied to enter the zone but not to exit
• Uber and Lyft rides would be charged to enter the zone and any ride that starts within the zone (income-based discounts would apply)
• 50% discount for residents within the zone
• Bridge fee discount for individuals who cross the bridge to enter the city • Expanded Muni discounts for low-income earners
11 Case Study
• Reduce congestion
• Enhance economic opportunity
• Reduce air and climate pollution
• Make roads safer and transit faster
• Reinvest in the communities
• Santa Monica Mountains
• I-10 West
• Downtown Los Angeles
• Forecasted to open in 2028
• Currently refining concept designs for potential pricing zones based on modeling results and public feedback
• Full exceptions for 3 or more passengers or lowincome motorists • Reduced fee for low-income motorists
• Transit credit reward program for those who
choose alternative transportation options
12 Case Study
• Reduce traffic and travel time
• Lead to safer streets and cleaner air
• Reduce emissions
• Improve quality of life
• Raise revenue for public transit
improvements
• Time of Day: 5 AM – 9 PM weekdays, 9 AM – 9 PM weekends • Type of Vehicle: passenger, small commercial vehicles, motorcycles, trucks, buses, taxis, vehicles for hire
• Crossing Credits: received if using a valid E-Z Pass during peak times • Connecting Between a River Crossing and Excluded Roadway: no fee applied • Discounts and Exemptions: available for low-income drivers and individuals with disabilities or organizations transporting people with disabilities, emergency vehicles, buses, and specialized government vehicles • E-Z Pass and Fees by Mail: must be paid within 30 days • Ultimate Fees will be Phased in by 2031
• Various lawsuits against congestion pricing are currently in review by the courts, including one involving the current federal administration. • Manhattan Downtown
Area
13 Other Case Studies 14
15 Vice Mayor Speake’s Suggested Location Focus
16 Collection
Equipment
Placement
Cities with existing/proposed
Cordon Pricing have:
Corona Comparison:
Green River Road/Foothill Parkway
1. Legislation that allows
applying fees to publicly funded
and maintained roadways
Green River Road/Foothill Parkway was built utilizing public funds and will need to consider legality and possible legislation to allow this.
2. A strong public transportation
system
Corona falls short of the scaled public transportation infrastructure found in other cities.
3. Robust fee collection
technology
The City would need a fee collection company with technology to easily identify vehicles that enter and exit the corridor and verify who qualifies for a discount is needed. Information should be reviewed regularly to adjust for changing patterns.
4. Easily identified and
controlled entrance and exit
locations for a specified zone
Green River Road/Foothill Parkway is more of a corridor (like a toll road) than a zone, providing a clear message to people about which entrance and exit points trigger a fee, which can be challenging. An analysis of which locations will and will not trigger a fee must be carefully planned, as there are many access points along the corridor, and negative impacts on adjacent roadways may occur.
17 Cities with existing/proposed
Cordon Pricing have the following
Corona Comparison:
Green River Road/Foothill Parkway
5. Visitors who travel to the zone for
various attractions such as shopping
and dining (typically a downtown
area).
Case studies are mostly in downtown areas, with an attraction to a “zone” rather than pass-by or cut-through traffic.
Implementation may deter non-residents who frequent
businesses or establishments within the city.
6. A pricing schedule that advances
equity while balancing operation
costs and financial objectives to
raise revenue for public
improvements.
Per Vice Mayor Speake’s vision, Corona residents who trigger an on/off ramp on both the 91 and 15 freeways within a period of time will be exempted from paying the fee. However, other cities use a 50% or less discount for zone residents. The program may struggle to self-support with the proposed
exception.
7. Close relationship with
neighboring agencies.
Coordination with Caltrans is required to locate license plate readers at the 91/15 freeway on/off-ramps. Also, neighboring agencies should be included in the discussion, as the 91 and 15 freeway access could lead to additional strain on their current infrastructure.
18 Keep the status quo. Procure a consultant to prepare a feasibility study to determine
legality, constructability, & Cordon
Pricing strategy. Bring back to
Council with options.
Observe how other programs are
progressing. Bring back to City
Council at a future meeting and
revisit potential implementation.
Pros:
• No additional resources and
funding required.
Cons:
• Congestion on Green River
Road/Foothill Parkway may
continue with cut-through
traffic.
• Maintenance costs may
continue to increase due to
traffic volume.
Pros:
• Will determine if Cordon Pricing
works in Corona
• A holistic understanding of
congestion data collected as part
of the study
Cons:
• Study cost from $300K-$600K
(not budgeted)
• Study would reduce available
funding for other projects
Pros:
• City can analyze lessons learned
from other cities that have
implemented the program.
• Observe if upcoming
RCTC/Caltrans projects
positively address congestion in
the city.
Cons:
• Congestion & maintenance costs
on Green River Road/Foothill
Parkway may continue due to
cut-through traffic.
19 That the City Council provide direction on exploring a Cordon Pricing program for the Green River Road/Foothill Parkway corridor to deter cut-through traffic.
20