I-85 HOT Lane Revenue Falls Short

After one year of operating, the I-85 HOT lane is making money but falling short of even the lowest revenue predictions, the AJC reported.

The controversial toll lane was unpopular with drivers as soon as it was rolled out on Oct. 1, 2011, forcing the state to lower the tolls in order to attract cars into the lane.

But drivers are using the HOT lane. Thousands have signed up for the Peach Pass, and in the first 11 months, that brought in $3.05 million. That's short of the projected revenue of $3.3 million to $6.7 million, according to figures from the AJC.

State Road and Tollway Authority officials say they’re not disappointed with the revenues. A spokesman for Gov. Nathan Deal said that Deal “moved aggressively” to lower the cost of the tolls and give a grace period to toll violators, which explains some of the revenue gap, the AJC reported.

Are you surprised that revenue projections have fallen short? Let us know in the comments below.

You might also be interested in reading:

• County: Transit Fares Should Cover a Third of Operating Costs
• HOT Lanes: Traffic Management or Government Extortion?
• Reversible Lanes a Possibility for I-85