It you think it's hot right now, then just wait until next July... especially on I-85!!!

For the longest time, the Georgia DOT has been working on a plan to convert a 15-mile (24 km) stretch I-85's current High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes.

Next month, from Chamblee-Tucker Road in DeKalb County to Old Peachtree Road in Gwinnett County, the Georgia DOT will finally begin the process of doing the HOV-to-HOT conversion, and according to an article in this week's Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the new HOT lanes should be operational next July.

GDOT says that the cost would be up to US$0.90 per mile (US$0.56 per kilometer) during the most congested times. Assuming you, as a solo driver or had only one passenger in your vehicle, use the entire stretch of HOT lanes (maximum toll charge US $13.50), that would be waaaayyyyy too much... especially given that the formerly non-tolled lanes were already paid for by our motor fuel taxes. This IMHO is a significant example of "double-taxation".

Furthermore, how is this system going to distinguish whether or not you have at least 2 passengers in your vehicle? Per GDOT, you should not be charged the toll, but what if the system bills you? How would you be able to successfully dispute that charge and get your money back? These are issues that, IMHO, GDOT needs to go ahead and address right now.

Again, the idea of taking an existing  free lane and converting it to a tolled one does not sit well with me. If it were a brand new lane built with tolling in mind, then I could understand. While I'm not exactly fond of being stuck in traffic, I'm really not too happy with having to pay to use a so-called "Lexus lane". GDOT says that the lanes are not intended to make money, but let's face facts, y;all... the money has to be going somewhere to pay for something, and I'm sure it's not for sending Georgia's kids to Pre-K or college, if you know what I mean.

What are your thoughts about the I-85 HOT lanes, pro or con? Please feel free to respectfully post your comments and I look forward to reading them.

That's it for now. Thanks for reading and please come back often.

 

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