Utahns cool to HOT lanes

UDOT has received at least "several hundred" inquiries from residents wanting to purchase a HOT lane sticker, said Easton. The department is confident it can sell 600, he said.

Transportation Commissioner Jan Wells, who represents Salt Lake and Tooele counties, said Saturday she, too, wasn't surprised with the poll results. The seven-member Transportation Commission unanimously approved HOT lanes on I-15 during a meeting about three weeks ago.

"This is a very new concept for Utah and we've never had to pay to use roads in a general sense like this before," Wells said. "I think it will take time and education for everyone to understand what it means to them personally."

UDOT began studying whether to implement HOT lanes about two years ago at the request of the Legislature. For specific details about HOT lanes, and how they will be enforced and implemented, go online to: www.udot.utah.gov.

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