TDOT explains ‘choice lanes’ payments, penalties
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Plans for Tennessee toll lanes continue to take shape, including several updates regarding design plans and how drivers will pay.
TDOT prefers to call toll lanes "choice lanes, as you can choose whether or not to use them. On Wednesday, the Transportation Modernization Board discussed the project on I-24 between Nashville and Murfreesboro.
According to Wednesday's meeting, the project will most likely consist of a mix of raised lanes and others that will stretch and cover grassy medians.
Tennessee 'choice lanes' to have minimum speed limits, prices that vary based on traffic
"The way that the choice lanes look throughout the corridor will vary based on things like right of way and utilities and actual, physical constraints," said Rebekah Hammonds, a communications officer for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).
Hammonds said TDOT understands that paying for tolls is new for Tennesseans, and they will do their best to not catch drivers off guard.
When it comes to payment, you can purchase a low-cost transponder to stick on your car. This will allow TDOT to track and bill you digitally. For those without a transponder, TDOT will use license plate readers to track those who go through, and mail a bill according to the car's registration.
'It's about investing': Tennessee Democrats propose legislation to improve roads, transportation
"You'll be able to see the price, you'll be able to have time to make that decision on whether or not you need that more reliable trip time," Hammonds explained.
For those who don't pay their bill after two mailed invoices, which will reportedly be sent 30 days apart, risk being sent to collections.
Wednesday's meeting finalized the definition of what a "habitual violator" will look like, which is someone who drives through three tolls within a year without paying and has racked up more than $100 in unpaid tolls. For a habitual violator, TDOT will send their information to the Department of Revenue, which can revoke or not renew a person's vehicle registration.
"We're not going to crack down on the one person who mistakenly gets into the lanes or misplaces their bill and forgets to pay it that one month. Really, this is intended to make sure that those who are continuously or regularly taking advantage of that system, that we're able to track those people down," Hammonds said.
Read today's top stories on wkrn.com
Of course, Hammonds said the best way to avoid any of this is by purchasing a transponder for your car. You'll be charged digitally and only for the times you drive through.
Currently, TDOT is wrapping up their environmental study. After that, in the spring, the department will seek more public input and review requests for proposals before finalizing a design plan.
