Jun 4, 2006 11:36 pm US/Mountain
HOT Lanes To Open For Use On I-25 Monday
by Ericka Lewis
DENVER (CBS4) ―
Starting Monday, drivers will be able to use the new High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes for the first time during the morning rush on Interstate 25.
The lanes allow solo drivers to by-pass traffic if they pay a fee. That fee may be waived for thousands of Colorado drivers in just a few months.
A state law will allow hybrid drivers to use High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) lanes without paying a dime.
After hearing about the state law, Roman Mica, whose wife commutes from Boulder to Denver everyday, decided to but a new Toyota Prius hybrid car.
"It's really fun to drive," Mica said. "We thought it would be a great way for her to save time because she could get in the HOV lanes and save money by not using as much gas."
But the Mica's found out, even though the state law was passed 3 years ago, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) still has not implemented the change.
When the new HOT lanes opened up Friday, Mica was fuming.
"There's a law that's three years old and we can't get in there," Mica said. "But anyone else willing to pay three bucks to go in, they can go in there. That's not right."
CDOT said the hold up is the federal government. They're waiting for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clearly define what a hybrid is before giving all hybrids access to the fast lane.
"You have some hybrids that are very fuel efficient," Stacy Stegman from CDOT said. "Then you have some that are hybrid SUV's that still only get 21 miles to the gallon. For that reason, they thought we need a clearer definition."
CDOT also said changing the rules would be confusing to drivers if the feds later prevent some hybrids from entering the HOV lanes.
But the mica's disagree.
"I think they're looking for excuses not to implement it," Mica said.
CDOT said it expects to get a ruling from the EPA defining hybrid vehicles by September.
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