Give toll lanes a chance

The onslaught of angry e-mail sent the Utah Department of Transportation by Utahns commenting on the state's first toll lanes suggests that this new concept has touched a nerve.

Deseret Morning News transportation reporter Nicole Warburton obtained 109 e-mails through a state open records request. According to her report, e-mail senders described the toll lanes in unflattering terms — everything from "stupid" to "white-supremacy elitist."

Come now. Change is difficult for everyone, but it's difficult to perceive the real harm posed by toll lanes. Besides, UDOT is continuing to monitor the arrangement, which enables solo drivers to use the carpool lane for $50 a month. Literally hundreds of the monthly passes have been sold, suggesting many Utah drivers are willing to pay for greater convenience.

Best of all, carpoolers can continue to use the lanes for free. Ditto for drivers with clean-fuel vehicles, motorcyclists and buses. UDOT officials say carpooling has increased elsewhere in the country where states have established dedicated carpool or express lanes. Utahns ought to hope the same will happen here.

Other e-mailers expressed concerns about safety. The express lanes have been restriped to limit access points. There 15 points on the 38-mile route from Salt Lake City to Orem at which motorists can enter or exit. The access points, marked with a broken line, do not correlate with interchange locations. Otherwise, the lane is marked with double lines, which direct drivers to stay in the lane. UDOT officials say the limited access points will enhance safety.

The Utah Highway Patrol has begun enforcing the lanes, which may result in another barrage of e-mail to UDOT. Stay tuned.

It's too soon to say whether Utahns will use toll lanes on a sustained basis. So far, 600 Utahns have signed up and paid good money for the privilege. UDOT can ill-afford to turn its head to this revenue stream.

For those who still view the toll lane as elitist, take heart. Travel the interstate with just one other person, and you, too, can travel the express lane — for free! Be sure to wave at the drivers of single-occupant cars with express-lane decals, who will pay $600 a year for the privilege.