I-15 toll lanes a hot idea

Toll lanes on I-15 could be possible by the end of the year.

After temporarily shelving a feasibility study of "high-occupancy toll" lanes on I-15, the Utah Transportation Commission is scheduled to re-examine the study today and vote whether to give money for preliminary engineering work on the toll lanes.

No other action is expected, but today's discussion could prompt commissioners to set a date for implementation of the high-occupancy toll, or HOT lanes, said Tom Hudachko, spokesman for the Utah Department of Transportation. It's possible the toll lanes could be implemented this year, he said.

"Clearly, we've got extra capacity in the carpool lane," Hudachko said. "The discussion is how to take advantage of the capacity that exists. It's not a question of if we implement HOT lanes, it's a question of when. I think the discussion (today) will get to that question of when."

With HOT lanes, motorists can buy the right to drive in the carpool lane without a passenger. By this summer, Utah should have 36 miles of carpool lanes that could be turned into HOT lanes. About $20 per month could be a "palatable" toll for Utahns who choose to use the system, according to Hudachko.

A preliminary engineering study, if approved for funding by the commission, would help determine how much tolls could be and how HOT lanes would be administered. At first, motorists who use the system would likely be asked to put a special sticker in their car, according to Hudachko.

Eventually, the system could become electronic.

Over the past year, Utah lawmakers have aggressively studied whether HOT lanes, toll lanes, reversible lanes and public-private partnerships could help with a billion-dollar deficit for road projects in the state. Last session, lawmakers gave the Transportation Commission authority to study and establish tolling facilities in Utah.

The seven-member commission is an oversight committee for UDOT. The commission approves and prioritizes UDOT projects and allocates funding for the agency.

This legislative session, Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, is sponsoring a bill that would allow the state to partner with private groups to build toll roads. The bill, which is still being drafted, sets rules and parameters for a partnership, according to Killpack. By allowing a private group to pay for, manage and maintain a road, that road could be built within years rather than decades, he said.

With Killpack's bill, the state would still hold title to privately-operated toll roads. The state can also set limits for tolls, according to Killpack. Joseph Demma, chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, said in an earlier interview that Herbert and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. support the idea of public-private partnerships.

During today's commission meeting, Herbert is scheduled to talk about a gubernatorial transportation initiative for funding roads and transit. He will also talk about the governor's budget proposal this year for transportation. The governor is calling for $120 in new money for roads and $83 million in general obligation bonds for construction projects.

Today's meeting begins at 9 a.m. It will be at the Calvin Rampton Complex, 4501 S. 2700 West.

---

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com