HOT lanes near Hotlanta

[marmar]

By Ariel Hart
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution


When the clock strikes midnight Friday, I-85's HOV lane turns into a toll lane, from Old Peachtree Road in Gwinnett County to just south of Spaghetti Junction in DeKalb.

Every commuter (except those in big trucks) will have the option to slip out of congestion, for a price.

State planners have given up on ever having enough money to sufficiently expand metro Atlanta highways the traditional way. Instead, they say, the HOV toll lane -- a "HOT lane" -- offers all drivers an option, if they are willing to pay.

The lane allows cars with one or two people to drive there, but they have to pay the toll. Vehicles with three people or more drive free. The toll price rises and falls with congestion in the main lanes, aiming always to stay high enough to keep the lane free-flowing. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/what-to-know-as-1192053.html

[sarcasmo]

1. We pay taxes for our roads and now a toll tax to drive in the HOV lane.

Glad we can go down I65 on the way to Florida instead of I75.

[MineralMan]

2. Well, you don't have to pay. Just drive in the non-toll lanes.

:shrug:

We have a similar deal here in Minnesota. I never use those toll lanes. I still get where I'm going.

[MuseRider]

3. We have always had toll roads here.

You can get around without them but if you want to take the fastest route from my city East to Missouri or South to Oklahoma you have always had to pay a toll. Every lane, every day. Thing is, the roads may always be under some kind of construction but they are very well maintained. The other roads are usually pretty good too, not toll but I would guess that they are well maintained because the other money goes more to them? I don't know, just writing. It sucks to have to pay to get around but it may end up being worth it. I guess I always felt that even though those tolls were supposed to end years ago and never did at least those roads are in good shape.

[DBoon]

4. "Members Only" lanes will be the next big thing

Why should the affluent owners of luxury vehicles be stuck in traffic with the rest of us peasants?

For a large price, the state could sell "Members Only" passes so Mercedes owners can zip by all the Fords in comfort and luxury.

Think of it as a country club membership, or joining an elite health club, or sending your kids to a prestigious private school.

[eilen]

5. We have EZPass

put money on it and it electronically sends a signal to allow us to quickly get through the toll booths without waiting for people to pay tollworkers.

It works in PA too. I'm not sure about NJ as I don't drive there often. Speaking of NJ-- the Garden State Parkway has a tollbooth every 500 feet (practically).

Tolls do suck though. I find it interesting they are tolling the fast lane but none of the others. It won't stay that way.

[MADem]

6. Yer shittin' me!! Wow--thank you for the heads up.

I have to be in HOTLANTA next month; at least I will be prepared.

Are the PEACH PASSES on the same system as the EZ Pass?

I can see problems with this bit coming up--how would a cop know if someone was not paying, if they had a transponder on the dash but called to turn it off?

To switch from toll-paying to free, or vice versa: You must reset your Peach Pass account by phone or computer at least 15 minutes before you enter the lane. If your switching is regular, you can pre-set certain days or times as paying or nonpaying.
How much: The toll ranges from 10 cents a mile to 90 cents a mile, rising with congestion. The State Road and Tollway Authority can go over 90 cents a mile in special cases.
Don’t: cross the double solid lines. Enter or exit only at the dashed lines.
Fines: A violation can reap both a $25 SRTA fine, which happens electronically and is mailed to the driver, and a police fine of up to $150 from troopers who are patrolling the corridor.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

7. nope...peach pass totally different n/t

[RebelOne]

8. Here is how the Peach Pass works.

www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/georgias-first-hot-lanes-open-traffic/nDyY8/