The HOV project is being funded mostly by the state, which contributed $30 million. The remaining $12 million will come from federal funds.

UDOT hopes that adding the HOV lanes will encourage more Utah County drivers who commute to the Salt Lake Valley to give car-pooling a try — which could reduce traffic even more.

"We're pleased to bring forth the car-pool lane to Utah County, and we're hopeful that folks will gravitate towards that and that they will choose to car-pool," said John Njord, UDOT executive director.

I-15 has also been tagged as a possible candidate for high-occupancy toll roads, or HOT lanes. HOT lanes allow motorists to buy the right to drive in car-pool lanes without a passenger.

UDOT is currently studying several HOT lane candidates, but hasn't made any decisions yet.

"It's something we need to examine and say, 'Would it work? And if so, where?' " Wilhite said. "This is one area where it's under consideration."

Utah's HOV lanes are open to any vehicle carrying more than one person, including buses, as well as solo drivers of motorcycles and vehicles that burn clean fuel such as natural gas. Vehicles pulling any type of trailer — commercial or private — or weighing more than six tons are prohibited. A violation is a class C misdemeanor and carries a fine of up to $500 and/or three months in jail.

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E-mail: mdecker@desnews.com