Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
NORTHERN UTAH -- The way Utahns use HOV toll lanes is about to change. The Utah Department of Transportation will begin installing an HOV lane system that will allow drivers to use the lanes on a more on-demand basis.
The first signs of the change to paid express lanes will start showing up on Interstate 15 this weekend. Single drivers can soon use the carpool lane without buying a monthly pass.
Instead, a system of signs, readers and electronic transponders will open up those lanes.
The Utah Department of Transportation's new electronic system allows drivers to pay as they go. It's part of UDOT's new electronic payment system for Express Lanes.
You sign up for the program, get a transponder, and as a single driver you can decide if and when you want to get in the Express Lane and you will automatically be charged.
Construction crews this weekend will begin putting up the pieces of a new HOV lane system along I-15 from Lehi to 2300 North in Salt Lake County, as well as parts of northern Davis County. The first of around three dozen signs will be put up. The signs will have a board that will display a variable toll for HOV lane use.
Once the program starts Aug. 23, those signs will activate a transponder you receive when you enroll.
"You place it just right behind the rear-view mirror," explains UDOT project director Katherine Cutler.
Then, if you decide to use the express lane as a single driver, you will be electronically charged the rate for that zone.
"During heavy traffic we would up the rate to get people out of it," said Nile Easton with UDOT. "The whole point is to keep the lane moving as quickly as possible."
Now you get to decide on the spot if it's worth it to you to sit a little longer in traffic for free or pay the toll, which will range from 25 cents to $1. The maximum you would be charged in one commute is $4.
"It's really going to open it up now to be more customizable to users," he said. "They get to pick when they want to be in it and that the rate will vary."
Easton says use will be situational. "If you're late for a meeting or to pick your kid up from school, regardless of that toll, you'll probably want to get in that lane and save the time," he said.
Say you have the transponder but have another person in the car and don't need to pay to use the HOV lane: All you do is turn the transponder off and you won't be charged.
"Now people will have flexible options on whether or not they want to use it," Easton said.
A sensor on the back of the new signs will help the Utah Highway Patrol tell whether a single driver is legally in the lane or not. Signs will flash red if a car that does not have a transponder is detected.
UDOT expects this new electronic program will quadruple the amount of users who enroll in the Express Pass program. All the money earned from it will go right back in the program.
Easton said the idea is not to raise more money. "So much depends on what the rates are and how many people sign up," he said. "We're just hoping it's a break-even system."
The transponders go on sale July 20 when drivers can set up an account on UDOT's website for a $25 deposit. The first 2,000 people who sign up get the transponder for free. After that, the cost is $8.75.
The first signs go up this weekend and the electronic system will go into effect on I-15 Aug. 23.
------
Story compiled with contributions from Amanda Butterfield and Marc Giauque.
