The Harris County Toll Road Authority decided to suspend the toll rate increase that was planned for May 30 on the 12-mile stretch of managed lanes within the Interstate 10 Katy Freeway Corridor. The Texas Department of Transportation assumes the responsibilities of maintaining and operating the managed lanes on Dec. 31.

The toll increase was intended to cut down on congestion and maintain free-flowing traffic, HCTRA Deputy Director Lisa Castañeda said. “[Congestion] still needs to be handled,” Castañeda said. “But while we turn the operations over to TxDOT, we need to focus [on that transition].” The toll road increase is suspended for now, but Castañeda said it could still be an option after the HCTRA weighs the options and alternatives with TxDOT. “It doesn’t mean that no congestion relief would come until Dec. 31,” Castañeda said. “It just means that until we figure out [the transfer], we won’t be making any changes.” The Katy managed lanes opened in April 2009 in an effort to optimize commuting within the physically constrained corridor. The managed lanes combine toll lanes with High Occupancy Vehicle lanes in a single roadway.