HOT lanes set to open in January

Begins on Gulf Freeway

David Crossley, Sep 29, 11.

Come January, a solo driver in a hurry on the Gulf Freeway will have the option of paying a toll to speed up the trip, according to a story in the Houston Chronicle:

That’s when the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s first high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes are scheduled to open in the existing high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes between Dixie Farm Road and Dowling Street.

Thanks to toll-road technology, a driver who has no passengers but has a windshield sticker will be able to use the HOV lane for a price if the lane has room.

The amount of the toll will vary, depending upon congestion in the HOV lane, which will remain cost-free for cars with at least two occupants.

Metro’s budget for Fiscal Year 2012, which starts Saturday, includes a projected $1 million in HOT-lane revenue. The board is scheduled to vote on the new budget Thursday after a 9 am public hearing. MORE