HOV lane usage will not undergo legislative audit

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Office of the Legislative Auditor General has decided against auditing high-occupancy vehicle lanes, citing new legislation that will require the Utah Department of Transportation to answer similar questions.

The audit was requested by Rep. Wayne Harper, R-West Jordan. Harper questioned the use of HOV lanes, the cost to construct and maintain the lanes, the impact on traffic congestion and vehicle emissions, and the safety and enforcement of HOV lanes.

But in a report released Tuesday afternoon, the legislative auditor noted that in March, the Legislature approved SB38, sponsored by Sen. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights. The law requires UDOT to report each year to the Transportation Interim Committee on HOV lane usage, impact and safety in comparison to general-purpose lanes.

UDOT is also finishing installing an electronic tolling system that will change how drivers pay to use the lanes, as well as where they use the lanes, according to the auditor's report.

UDOT will present the first report to legislators by November. Next month, UDOT will begin operating an electronic tolling system on the HOV lanes, and it will take time to gather data.

"We think by October (or) November we will have a pretty good indication on how the lane works (and) who's using it," UDOT spokesman Nile Easton said.

— Laura Hancock