The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is seeking comment from the public on the potential for introduction of a High-Occupancy Vehicle or High-Occupancy Toll lane on I-26 from Summerville to Charleston.

High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) lanes would require vehicles to have one or more passengers in addition to the driver to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Commuters who choose to carpool are then able to take advantage of the less-traveled lanes. High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes can be used by drivers traveling alone who wish to pay a toll for the use of the lane. There is no requirement for the driver to have a minimum number of passengers in the vehicle.  Commuters who choose to carpool may still use the lane without paying a toll.

“Part of our daily business is to look for any solutions that would incur the least expense to the taxpayers,” said Secretary of Transportation H.B. “Buck” Limehouse Jr. “Even if the eventual outcome shows that HOV or HOT lanes are not practical in any locations around the state, we would not be doing our jobs if we didn’t explore the possibilities.”

To gauge public comment, an online survey will be made available starting September 22 at http://www.scdot.org.  Survey responses will be received until October 22, 2008.

In addition, public meetings will be held in four locations along the corridor between September 22 and September 30.  Completed surveys may also be hand-submitted at the public meetings.

The media can download a hard copy of the survey at http://www.scdot-transfer.org/scdotphotos/survey.htm

The following are the dates, times and locations, with a formal presentation to start the meetings:

September 22

6 pm - 7:30 pm
Dorchester County Services Building

500 N. Main Street

Summerville, SC 29483

September 23

6 pm - 7:30 pm
Goose Creek City Hall

519 N. Goose Creek Blvd

Goose Creek, SC 29445

September 25

5:30 pm - 7 pm

Armory Park

5000 Lackawanna Blvd
North Charleston, SC 29405

September 30

5:30 pm - 7 pm
Charleston County Public Library

68 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401

For more information, please contact Doug Frate of SCDOT at 803-737-1436.

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