HOT Lanes Have Some Metro Drivers Confused

ATLANTA,None — In a matter of weeks, new High Occupancy Toll, or HOT, lanes will be open on a 16-mile stretch of Interstate 85 approaching the perimeter.

The transformation of the current HOV lanes to HOT lanes has left some metro Atlanta drivers confused.

New signs are in place from Old Peachtree Road to Chamblee Tucker Road. Drivers can't miss them, but some motorists told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh that they didn't know what they're used for.

"I don't understand, I'm confused about that," said driver Mohammed Ahmed.

“I see the new signs, but I don't really pay any attention to it. I just keep going,” said driver Danielle Reynolds.

"Our goal is to create a free-flowing lane, so that lane is moving on average of 45 miles per hour," said Chris Tomlinson with the State Road and Toll Authority or SRTA.

PDF: Map Of HOT Lane Projects

Tomlinson said the new HOT lanes will get traffic moving by opening the express lane to anyone willing to pay. The cost will depend on traffic congestion and range from .10 to .90 cents a mile.

"Drivers won't have to do a calculation on the fly. What you'll see on the sign is the total toll charge," Tomlinson said.

Purple and green signs mark HOT lane entrances. White and green signs list the toll for the trip. The top line will show how much it will cost drivers from one point to the next exit. The second will calculate from that point to the end of the hot lane.

"If you get off somewhere in between, you'll pay somewhere in between,” Tomlinson said.

Carpoolers will still ride for free. But, you now need at least three passengers to count as a carpool and you still have to register.

Tomlinson recommends carpoolers set their Peach Pass, a prepaid toll collection device similar to a Cruise Card, in non-toll mode at least 15 minutes in advance.

WSBTV