Some state officials, however, say the HOT lanes make sense because Utah is facing an estimated $23 billion deficit for needed road projects. Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, said ways to reduce that deficit include HOT lanes and toll roads, as well as impact fees like the $10 vehicle-registration increase that just passed in several counties for corridor preservation.

"Any increase is difficult," Killpack said. "But the bottom line is, we need to fund transportation. It can't be ignored."

Come July, UDOT plans to begin selling stickers online for the HOT lanes. Only 600 will be available at first, at a cost of $50 per month.

Utah's HOT lanes will be operational around the end of August or early September. Motorists will be able to enter the lanes at 15 access points, about 2,000 feet long, near I-15 interchanges. Two highway patrol vehicles will be acquired to help enforce the lanes.

For more information about HOT lanes, see UDOT's Web site at www.udot.utah.gov.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com