Texas HOV lanes could bring in transportation funds from single-passenger cars

Certain HOV lanes in Texas could bring in transportation revenue from single riders who are willing to pay the posted toll. (Photo credit: oksana.perkins / Shutterstock.com)Certain HOV lanes in Texas could bring in transportation revenue from single riders who are willing to pay the posted toll. (Photo credit: oksana.perkins / Shutterstock.com)

Transportation infrastructure in Texas could get a boost in revenue from single-passenger cars in certain high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has proposed creating a partial toll in the HOV lanes on U.S. 75 from LBJ Freeway to McDermott Drive, WFAA reports.

The plan would allow single riders on that portion of road to pay a the posted toll to drive in the HOV lanes. Multi-passenger cars would continue to use the lanes for free but would need to register prior to accessing the lanes to do so.

TxDOT anticipates the plan to reduce congestion on the busy highway. A presentation from TxDOT outlines that the revenue from the tolls would remain in the county in which it is collected and would “be used to fund future transportation projects.”

WFAA reports that changing the HOV lanes into toll lanes would cost $11 million. If approved, new lanes could open to traffic by early 2016.