A new option for commuters, High Occupancy Toll lanes will be part of the I-45 north landscape in northern Harris County come summer. HOT lanes—toll lanes added to the existing High Occupancy Vehicle lanes—allow motorists the option to pay for a faster commute.

Although the 10 to 12 minutes that HOT lanes could save drivers is the same compared to using HOV lanes, multiple passengers are not needed to enter the HOT lanes.

"This is providing another mobility option for commuters," said Carolina Mendoza, METRO spokesperson. "By diverting drivers from the all-purpose lanes into the HOT lanes, we can free up some of that congestion on the main lanes."

Of the 83 miles of HOT lanes planned for the Houston area, the first stretch opened in February on I-45, south of downtown.

More HOT lanes are in the works—from downtown north to FM 1960—and entrance points will be the same as the existing HOV lane.

Additionally, the Houston-Galveston Area Council's Transportation Policy Council approved funds to convert an extra lane on I-45 in Montgomery County into an HOV or HOT lane, according to Robert Heineman, leader of the mobility team for the South Montgomery Woodlands Chamber, and vice president of planning at The Woodlands Development Company.

"For people who are using the HOV lanes, there is a lot of congestion at [FM] 2920," he said. "If [drivers] can get on the HOV lane or HOT lane up in Montgomery County and avoid 2920, it will help everyone."

To enter HOT lanes, drivers enter the regular HOV entrances and pass through a verification point to declare a status. Since the HOV and HOT lanes are the same, solo motorists may only use the HOT lane on I-45 during certain hours. Each freeway on which HOT lanes are installed will have different restrictions for drivers who wish to use them.

Each freeway in Houston with HOT lanes will have different access hours.

Drivers traveling alone can still access the lanes for a toll ranging from $1 to $4.50, based on the time of day and congestion levels.

"Having this done is a great idea," Heineman said. "It will definitely help The Woodlands."