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John Daley ReportingNile Easton, UDOT Spokesman: "The people who carpool will be saving upwards of 20 minutes. People who are in the other lanes will save about 20% because of cars that have moved from the normal lane to the carpool lane."
It's a new commute for thousands and thousands of motorists, thanks to a much-needed addition in Utah County. If you're a commuter, you'll likely make better time today, at least if you live in Utah County where a new carpool lane opened this morning.
Life in the fast lane just got a little faster, at least that's the plan, thanks to the new lane of asphalt and striping on I-15. Don't look now, but here comes the HOV, the High Occupancy Vehicle lane.
The rule is you must have a second person in your car, and that can be anyone--a coworker, friend or a child.
With this new lane, it makes for an extra 15 miles of open freeway. In fact you can now drive the carpool lane from 600 north in Salt Lake to University Parkway in Orem. At 38 continuous miles, it's the longest in the country.
UDOT predicts it'll save about 20 minutes per commute for carpoolers.
Holly Caten, Utah County Commuter: "In the traffic out to Provo, it's going to help a lot, get people to actually think about carpooling."
Brett Knapp, Utah County Commuter: "On the weekends, that's not when the traffic is." Q-So you wish they would have added a regular lane? "Added a fourth lane yes."
Exceptions to the carpool rule include buses and motorcycles, which are allowed in the new lane. Also permitted are cleaner fuel vehicles, like hybrids, electric cars and vehicles that run on natural gas.
A new KSL-TV/Deseret Morning News poll of 203 people polled in Utah County finds a majority--57%--would oppose allowing single drivers to pay extra to drive in the car pool lanes, something the state's transportation commission has voted to allow.
When asked about paying additional sales tax to pay for transportation needs in Utah County, our poll is close; 48% say YES, 45% say NO. There is penalty for cheaters in the HOV. If the highway patrol catches you driving in the carpool lane alone, the fine is $57 dollars in Salt Lake City, $77 in Utah county.
