Utah Legislature: HOV lane rules to remain the same

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would have changed the rules for driving in the high-occupancy vehicle lane has been amended.

SB38, sponsored by Sen. Karen Morgan, D-Salt Lake, originally would have made it legal to enter and exit HOV lanes as a driver pleases and would have opened the lanes to general traffic during non-peak times. But the Utah Department of Transportation put the cost in the millions to make modifications while the department is in the process of installing an electronic tolling system. The system will electronically deduct funds from drivers who are not in carpools but want to travel in the so-called Express Lanes.

Morgan amended her bill a few times in an attempt to decrease the cost. Now the bill is in the House, on its fourth amendment, and only requires UDOT to report each year to a transportation interim committee details about the HOV lanes such as the types of vehicles, and when and where HOV lanes are popular.

— Laura Hancock