Politics & Government
Feds Deny State's Request for Waiver on HOT Lanes
A request to lower the limit to two people instead of three in a car in order to qualify to ride in the express lanes on I-85 has reportedly been denied by the Federal Highway Administration.
CBS News Atlanta is reporting that federal authorities have denied Georgia’s request for a waiver on requiring three people in a car in order to qualify to ride for free on the new I-85 toll system. following an after traffic backed up on the toll portion of I-85 through Gwinnett and Dekalb counties when the new system went into effect Oct. 1.
According to reports, in denying the request, U.S. Department of Transportation officials said it is too early to evaluate the effectiveness. A waiver would have allowed cars carrying two people to also use the lanes for free. About 10,000 a day are reported to now use the express lanes. Although use has increased since it was first launched, members of the travelling public have united in opposition to the new system. say it has significantly increased the travel time for drivers who choose not to pay for use of the express lanes.
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