I-77 High-Occupancy Toll Lanes Presentation to: Regional Roads Committee August 27, 2010

Managed priced lanes giving preference to HOVs. What are HOT Lanes? I-394 Minneapolis Managed priced lanes giving preference to HOVs. Highest HOVs are typically free. Offers unimpeded travel and reliability benefits during peak periods SR 91, Orange County

Why HOT Lanes Are Important Encourage carpools, vanpools and express bus ridership Charge tolls for travel time savings and reliability Use tolls for revenues to reduce outlays for construction and operating costs

Where HOT Lanes Are Located/Being Planned HOV lanes HOT lanes Proposed 6

HOT Lane Tolling Applications Cashless operation Roadside or overhead radio frequency devices, interoperable throughout the East Coast Toll through transponder or license plate

HOT Lane Tolling Applications On-board vehicle identification units in passing vehicles Vehicle ID is combined with other real-time transaction data (current toll rate) and processed against toll account

Existing I-77 HOV Lanes North Carolina’s only HOV facility Opened in December 2004 Restricted to 2+ occupant vehicles Key Points: Operates safely Used by 250-300 vehicles/peak hour Carries 1500 transit riders daily on 74 bus trips

I-77 Feasibility Study Study limits were I-85 to Griffith Street (Exit 30—Davidson) Conducted Feb 2009 to Feb 2010 Feasibility for Converting HOV to HOT and Extending Lane

I-77 North Study Conclusions HOT Extension HOT Conversion HOT Conversion N Convert existing HOV lanes to HOT and extend to Catawba Northbound HOT lane ends ½-mile south of Catawba Outside GP lane drops at Catawba Southbound HOT lane begins between Catawba & Griffith interchanges 9

I-77 North Study Conclusions HOT lanes project length: 18 miles southbound 14 miles northbound No construction along either causeway Provides travel benefits and improves traffic flow until future I-77 widening

I-77 North Study Conclusions Better use of existing HOV lanes More choices for commuters Longer preferential lanes for CATS buses & vanpools/carpools (1500 daily transit riders now) Funds dedicated to enforcement - current HOV violators become customers Acclimates motorists to tolls as traffic management tool and takes advantage of NCDOT toll technology

I-77 North Study Conclusions Operational/Management Rules 24/7 operation (same as current) 2+ and buses free, single occupant pay toll 2-axle trucks & motorcycles pay toll Assumes same turnpike administrative services for HOT lane revenue collection

I-77 North Study Conclusions Typical section 12-ft lanes, 10-ft inside shoulder Designated buffer (4 ft), no physical barriers or pylons Access restricted to designated breaks in double stripe every 2-3 miles (similar to current restriction) Buffer crossing remains a violation 12 ft (2 ft gravel) HOT lane 4 ft Buffer 12 ft General Purpose Lanes 12 ft, 15 ft w/ GR Paved Shoulder 6:1 C L varies 10 ft paved Enforcement Shoulder

Toll Zone Example 12’ 4’ 10’

Project Costs Construction Costs (2009$) HOT Conversion $ 5M HOT Extension to NC-73 3.6 mi $25M NC-73 to Catawba 3.1 mi $20M Total 6.7 mi $50M Annual O&M Costs (beginning in 2013) Fixed Toll O&M $1.2M Variable Tolling O&M $0.8M Toll Road Operating Costs $2.0M

Financial Feasibility Analysis Gross Annual Toll Revenues $4.2 million in 2013 $8.9 million in 2030 Annual Operating & Maintenance Costs $2.0 million in 2013 $3.5 million in 2030 Net Yearly Project Revenues $2.2 million in 2013 $5.4 million in 2030

Potential Funding Toll Revenue Bonds (over 30 years) $22M CMAQ Funds (MUMPO) $ 5M TIGER II Funds (Federal Stimulus) $30M Subtotal $57M Other Funding Possibilities TIFIA Financing of Toll Bonds $ 9M CMAQ Funds (Statewide) $10M

Institutional Issues/Actions State legislative authority exists for NCDOT to toll interstates subject to Federal approval; revenues must be spent on interstate where collected NCDOT is applying for FHWA approval for single-occupant vehicles to use I-77 HOV lanes & HOT lane extension to Cornelius Synergies to implement in conjunction with Monroe Connector/Bypass

Expressions of Support Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce Lake Norman Regional Economic Development Corporation Lake Norman Transportation Commission Lake Norman Rural Planning Organization Town of Huntersville Town of Cornelius Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization

For More Information: Barry Moose, PE N.C. Department of Transportation (704) 982-0101 bmoose@ncdot.gov Lynn Purnell, PE Parsons Brinckerhoff (704) 342-5405 purnell@pbworld.com