Katy Tollway/Managed Lanes
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One of the unique features of the new I-10/Katy Freeway will be the Katy Tollway/Managed Lanes - the first multi-lane electronic tollway in the nation with full design standards that will operate within the right of way of an interstate highway providing multiple entrance and exit locations to drivers. The new Katy Tollway/Managed Lanes will replace the single contra-flow METRO-operated High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, located today in the center of the I-10/Katy Freeway. The Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) will operate and maintain the Katy Tollway/Managed Lanes. TxDOT's primary purpose for the I-10/Katy Freeway Reconstruction Program is to increase facility capacity and address other traffic-related problems and needs of the I-10 corridor. The facility’s design is based on the recommendations and extensive public involvement from the Katy Freeway Major Investment Study (MIS) completed in October 1997. From the MIS came the recommended locally preferred alternative (LPA) to provide two special use lanes in both directions between I-610 and SH-6 and the addition of one general purpose lane in each direction between I-610 and Katy with auxiliary lanes to provide lane balance at major interchanges. The alternative was selected as the most viable alternative to add capacity, bring the existing freeway up to current TxDOT and FHWA standards and provide a sound mitigation strategy that allowed for the management of congestion that supported projected population growth and travel demands along the I-10 corridor. After completing the MIS, TxDOT prepared the I-10/Katy Freeway Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which was submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and received a Record of Decision (ROD) for the reconstruction of the Katy Freeway in March, 2001. Around that same time, the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) proposed to assume responsibility for the four special use lanes and to construct them as toll lanes. The proposal to operate toll lanes and finance the tollway portion of the Katy Freeway reconstruction allowed the project to be and unlocked highway funding for the Katy Freeway formerly designated for use on other projects in the region. U. S. Congressman John Culberson spearheaded an effort to obtain a pledge of support and assistance in securing funds for the project from the Texas Highway Commission and fellow Congressional leaders. As a result of these efforts, the Tri-Party Agreement by Harris County representing HCTRA, TxDOT and FHWA was signed March 14, 2003. The Katy Tollway/Managed Lanes begins west of SH-6 and ends at the I-10/I-610 interchange. Located in the center portion of the I-10/Katy Freeway, the Katy Tollway/Managed Lanes will consist of two express lanes in each direction operating 7 days a week, 24 hours a day (24/7). The Katy Tollway/Managed Lanes will be separated from the I-10 general purpose lanes by 12-foot shoulders and flex-post traffic barriers. Between SH-6 and I-610, this electronic tag only facility will have three toll enforcement zones located:
Easy access will be provided:
Katy Tollway/Managed Lanes Operations The initial Operations Agreement between TxDOT, Harris County and METRO allows for the provision of METRO buses to use the lanes free of charge with guarantees that mass transit users will be assured a level of service equal to or better than 45 miles per hour (referred to as Level of Service C). Concessions for high occupancy vehicles (2+ and motorcycles) are also provided for in the agreement and allow toll-free use of the lanes during peak periods (5 AM – 11 AM and 2 PM to 8 PM both eastbound and westbound). Working with the Operations Committee comprised of TxDOT, HCTRA and METRO, Harris County Commissioner's Court will determine and approve any additional toll exceptions and/or modification to the initial operations. During Phase I operations (October 2008 – Spring 2009), the lanes will operate as a High Occupancy Vehicle and mass transit facility only and will be accessible only during peak periods (5 AM – 11 AM and 2 PM to 8 PM). HCTRA will be evaluating traffic counts and patterns to determine appropriate toll amounts. These tolls will be effective Spring 2009 during Phase II operations. Additional information on Phase II operations will be available in early 2009. In an effort to maintain a Level of Service C (45+ MPH) or better on the Katy Tollway/Managed Lanes, toll rates and occupancy restrictions will vary depending on traffic demand. The varying of rates relative to peak travel times and vehicular occupancy is referred to as dynamic pricing. Dynamic pricing on the Katy Tollway/Managed Lanes will be the primary strategy by which added capacity along the corridor is managed to mitigate congestion. This factor sets the Katy Tollway/Managed Lanes apart from other HCTRA facilities, in that the collection and enforcement of tolls will focus on optimizing and managing the use of the added capacity rather than revenue. While HCTRA still has a fiduciary responsibility to debt recovery, revenue generation is tertiary to traffic management and traffic safety within the I-10 corridor. *The guarantee of a Level of Service equal to or better than "C" on the Katy Tollway/Managed Lanes is a condition of the Operational Agreement between TxDOT, HCTRA and METRO. Since the Katy Tollway/Managed Lanes will be the first of its kind in Texas and the pricing will be based on optimizing the use of the freeway's capacity, commuter's travel patterns will be the single largest variable in setting the pricing. During peak travel times the occupancy requirements and toll pricing will be set to incentivize ridesharing. During non-peak travel times, the objective will be to make the greatest use of the available capacity by allowing motorists the option to pay for the assurance to drive at free flow speeds of at least 45 mph. Actual toll prices will be determined based on initial operations and the evaluation of daily commute patterns.
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