Texas Transit Association

AUSTIN - The Texas Department of Transportation under a proposed rule would be able to create toll lanes on any part of the state highway system if the lanes reduce congestion. The policy is likely only to be applied to new construction.

State plan allows toll lanes on any Texas highway
Associated Press Fri, Jan. 30, 2004

The Texas Transportation Commission issued the proposed rule at its monthly meeting on Thursday in San Antonio. It continues the state’s movement toward including tolls in future highway projects. The rule now will go through a six-week public-comment period before being finalized in March.

The draft rules also would expand the department’s authority to enter into agreements with local transportation entities for the operation of toll and high occupancy vehicle lanes. The state already has such an agreement with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, which has HOV lanes on Interstates 10 and 45 and U.S. 59 and 290.

Another agreement with the Harris County Toll Road Authority will allow the county to operate four toll lanes on I-10 when it is expanded.

Included in the proposed rules is a provision to allow exclusive lanes on multilane highways that would be tolled and restricted to certain vehicle classes such as lanes only for trucks. Motorcyclists and owners of low-emission vehicles could be authorized to use HOV lanes without meeting the minimum occupancy requirements of other vehicles.

The new regulations would enable the state to “provide a safer, more efficient driving environment for the traveling public,” said Carlos Lopez, director of traffic operations.