Construction Begins on I-85 Hot Lanes

Changes are coming to your commute on Interstate 85 in DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties.

Transportation officials are changing the carpool lane into a paid express lane.

The Department of Transportation is converting a 16 mile stretch of HOV lanes to what's known as "hot lanes."

Those are paid express lanes.

Solo drivers who were banned from using HOV lanes in the past, will now be able to buy their way out of a traffic jam for $6.50 a trip.

You'll need a transponder for your car.

The price will be posted on electronic signs and will change constantly depending on the traffic.

The project is a five year experiment. If it works on Interstate 85, express lanes will pop up in other parts of the metro area.

To minimize the impact of construction, officials say it'll have all lane closures take place during nights and weekends.