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HOV Lanes Along I-40 Could Soon Be Down The Road

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RALEIGH, N.C. — A group Triangle leaders said something needs to be done on Interstate 40 in the Triangle to cut back on traffic, to help the environment and our health.

The solution could have Triangle drivers carpooling in the next couple of years.

During a typical morning rush, I-40 between Wake and Durham counties is backed with traffic.

"I'm not an engineer, I don't know what the ultimate solution will be, but we need to figure something out. That's the bottom line," said Ellen Reckhow, Durham County commissioner.

Would you be willing to carpool if the state built High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes along Interstate 40 between Wake and Durham counties? Yes Sometimes I already carpool No

Reckhow is part of the Transportation Advisory Committee, a group of Triangle elected officials setting the course for future road projects.

The consensus of the committee is to get working on High Occupancy Vehicle or HOV lanes -- lanes dedicated to cars with at least two passengers.

The Department of Transportation is currently widening I-40 from I-540 at the Wake/Durham County line to 15-501. HOV lanes are on the table, because at some point, the DOT cannot keep adding new lanes.

The DOT did an HOV study on I-40 from Hillsborough to Johnston County.

"The I-40 study actually demonstrated that even by 2005 to 2010 the demand is there, that it was warranted. How soon they can be built is another question," said Mark Ahrendsen of the Transportation Advisory Committee.

It is a question many hope is soon answered.

It will cost the state between $250 million and $550 million to put HOV lanes on I-40.

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