For all the talk of adding toll lanes to various portions of U.S. 75 and LBJ, there hasn't been much attention paid to the Texas Department of Transportation's plan to include similar lanes -- referred to as "managed lanes" in plan documents -- along the stretch of I-35 between U.S. 67 and Eighth Street in Dallas.
See also: TxDOT Proposing Converting More HOV Lanes to Toll Lanes, This Time on 75
Currently, that portion of I-35 has four lanes going in each direction and a single, reversible HOV lane. Under TxDOT's Southern Gateway plan, the interstate would be expanded to five dedicated lanes in each direction and a pair of reversible "HOV/Managed" lanes. Additional expansions and HOV to managed lane conversions would occur on I-35 as it runs south to I-20 and U.S. 67 as it runs south to FM 1382 in Cedar Hill.
As featured in previous plans, "HOV/Managed" lanes allow typical HOV traffic and toll paying single-occupancy vehicles at the outset, before transitioning to a completely tolled model for all customers. Depending on the time of day and traffic patterns, HOV users may be eligible for a discounted rate.
The plan for the Southern Gateway has been in the works for over a decade, but is fast approaching some of its milestones. If the current timeline holds, the HOV lane transition could be over as early as the end of this year.
Thus far, there has only been one public meeting to discuss the project. It was held in March, in Duncanville. You can check out TxDOT's 2010 plans for the Southern Gateway -- which haven't changed -- below:
