tollway- managed toll lanes *free*

[lincolnboy]

North Texas drivers will get to test the region’s growing network of managed toll lanes for free next week — if they have a TollTag and register online by at texpresslanes.com until 11:59 p.m. Friday.

Managed toll lanes run alongside free lanes and give people willing to pay a chance to drive at least 55 mph. They have already appeared on two portions of LBJ Freeway, State Highways 114 and 121 near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and State Highway 183 in Tarrant County.

Transportation officials are adding managed toll lanes, also called TexPress lanes, to virtually every major highway project in the area. In most cases, they replace free car pool lanes. The lanes feature fluctuating prices, which change depending on the amount of drivers already using them.

If the lanes become congested, the toll rates rise. If the lanes are less congested, the rates fall. The idea is to raise prices and deter other drivers from entering the lanes so congestion can unwind.

People who register online at texpresslanes.com can drive the lanes for free from Dec. 1 to 7. The idea for the free week is to get people used to the lanes and an app that already provides discounts for car poolers.

“This is new for North Texas,” said Dia Kuykendall, corporate affairs director for private developer LBJ Infrastructure Group. “It’s a way for people to really get out there and drive these new roads.”

LBJ was the first road to debut managed toll lanes in Texas when the stretch from Preston Road to Greenville Avenue opened last year. A second phase, that highway’s connection to Interstate 35E, opened earlier this year. The biggest section, from Preston to Luna Road, will open next year.

So far, 1.2 million trips have been made on LBJ’s managed toll lanes. And more than 14,000 drivers have signed up to use all the lanes for free next week.

“So it’s getting some legs,” said Robert Hinkle, corporate affairs director for developer NTE Mobility Partners.

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/20141123-managed-toll-lanes-will-be-free-next-week--if-you-sign-up-now.ece

[johnny--2k]

Seems to still be a rip off. I was out on 183 today heading from GB out to west FW and the TexPress lane was $2.25 at 9:30AM with damn near NO traffic on the roads. I was actually going faster on the regular lanes than the guy that ducked into the express lane lol

[lincolnboy]

Seems to still be a rip off. I was out on 183 today heading from GB out to west FW and the TexPress lane was $2.25 at 9:30AM with damn near NO traffic on the roads. I was actually going faster on the regular lanes than the guy that ducked into the express lane lol

No lie about the speeds being the same. I drive that toll everyday and the regular lanes are going the same speed i am going. All that work and they only really needed one lane for each direction of the managed toll. The project on 183 will be that way.

[Broncojohnny]

Those lanes are fucking stupid. They should be free when there is no traffic and then go up slightly when there is congestion. Instead these idiots think people are going to pay $2.35 to drive from NW highway to 635. The only people who do that sort of shit are ones where the tolltag is paid for by someone else. Or people who hide their plates.

[lincolnboy]

Those lanes are fucking stupid. They should be free when there is no traffic and then go up slightly when there is congestion. Instead these idiots think people are going to pay $2.35 to drive from NW highway to 635. The only people who do that sort of shit are ones where the tolltag is paid for by someone else. Or people who hide their plates.

Your right on that one. The company that constructed the 820/121 toll is the company i work for.

[Bputacoma]

Your right on that one. The company that constructed the 820/121 toll is the company i work for.

Mind asking them what's the logic on half-assing the 820 improvements? Like the merge of 820 south and 183 at North east mall. I feel like they made traffic there worse on purpose, to make you want to take the express lanes....

[lincolnboy]

Lets just say that company is from Spain. So that money is going over to Spain.

[Bputacoma]

Yup. North Texas is helping their economy. I know a Friend of a Friend who works in the corporate side of the same company.

[IHaveAMustang]

Yeah, the 820 improvements from 820 to I-35W DID NOTHING on the normal lanes. It was 2 lanes each direction before, and it is 2 lanes each direction now, with "TEXpress" lanes taking up valuable space in the middle now.

Btw no one uses those, at least when I am driving it. What a waste.

Now, the 114 lanes are actually usable, but only for people going 114 the whole way, tons of people go 114 to 121 and I'd love to have a texpress lane for 121 N. But nope. At least they added numerous free lanes and it really helps during rush hour.

[cool cat]

Now, the 114 lanes are actually usable, but only for people going 114 the whole way, tons of people go 114 to 121 and I'd love to have a texpress lane for 121 N. But nope. At least they added numerous free lanes and it really helps during rush hour.

That's what I have observed too. Even if I was willing to pay for the lanes, I can't use them. They do nothing for the people going 121 to 114.

[ceyko]

Given that nearly everything is turning toll based, I'm thinking about getting all rebel with my plates too.

[cool cat]

Given that nearly everything is turning toll based, I'm thinking about getting all rebel with my plates too.

I've been wondering if no front plate and tailgate down will help with that.

[Sgt Beavis]

They didn't learn from Atlanta's mistakes. These screwballs would have bumper to bumper traffic on non toll lanes but no one would touch the "Lexus Lanes". It is a money loser.