The Arkansas Highway Commission is studying whether to add part-time toll lanes to Little Rock area freeways, a move that supporters said could alleviate traffic for commuters and help efforts to expand mass transit in the region.
The commission on Wednesday approved partnering with Metroplan, the planning organization for the central Arkansas area, to study adding "high occupancy toll" lanes to the region. The study will likely take six months to a year to complete.
Officials say the "HOT" lanes could be available to drivers during morning and afternoon commutes for a price - and for free to the area's bus system. The lanes would be available to other drivers outside of peak driving times.