New HOT Lanes Could Imperil Carpool Practice

Virginia officials have embraced the concept and turned to the private sector to finance them in return for some of their toll revenue.

This year, state officials, working with Fluor Inc. and Transurban Group, announced plans to build HOT lanes on a 14-mile stretch of the Capital Beltway. And this month, two private proposals were submitted to build HOT lanes in the I-95 corridor. The proposals allow carpools of three or more to continue using the lanes free.

HOT lanes have been popular elsewhere, and there was scant opposition when Virginia officials unveiled the Beltway plan. But I-95 is different.

"We have a very successful and highly utilized HOV lane that could be harmed," Bob Hugman, a Woodbridge slug, said in an e-mail. "The slugging community is defending what we consider the 'crown jewel' of HOV commuting."

The two plans, each of which would cost about $900 million, envision adding a third lane to existing HOV lanes in the northern parts of the highway; extending those lanes south to the Fredericksburg area; adding commuter parking lots; and augmenting bus service.

Slugs are skeptical that they will continue to be allowed to ride free. They point to California, where carpoolers in Orange County said they were given the same promise but now pay half-price during some peak hours.

Area carpoolers said they also fear that many drivers will decide to pay a toll rather than pick up passengers.

"Right now, people are cutting back on carpooling because the HOV lanes are getting crowded," said slug Corey A. Stewart (R-Occoquan), who is a member of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. "With the addition of toll-paying autos, you lose the incentive altogether to carpool."

Virginia transportation officials said such worries are unfounded. "This is a big change, so there will be people who are concerned and have fears about preserving HOV and slugging," state Secretary of Transportation Pierce R. Homer said. But, "Those used to carpooling today, their world will change very little and, in fact, improve because of additional resources on enforcement."

Gary Groat, director of project development for Fluor, said there are no plans to charge carpoolers or restrict their access. He also said there would be more incentive to pick up sluggers because that would save drivers from tolls.

But Groat acknowledged that plans could change if the lanes fill with free riders. "It's a function of what traffic is like 10 years from now," he said.

Slugs said a better solution to ease congestion would be to build more commuter lots; enforce lanes better; end exemptions; and raise HOV requirements to four people per car.

"Why can't we be presented with some other options?" Hugman wrote. "Instead, the HOT lane process goes on like a steamroller."