UPDATE: HOT lane traffic moving smoothly

HOT Lanes extend along SR 167 between 15th St SW in Auburn and the I-405 interchange in Renton.

The Associated Press

5/5/2008

RENTON, Wash. — Traffic has been moving smoothly in the car pool lane of Highway 167 between Auburn and Renton where solo drivers can buy in by paying a variable toll.

A Transportation Department manager, Patty Rubstello, says the HOT lane price in the Monday morning commute has ranged between 50 cents and $1.75.

Drivers have to watch overhead displays for the cost and pay attention to special access points.

The cost is recalculated every three minutes by a computer. Department administrator Craig Stone says it's one of only three "dynamic systems" in the nation. A transponder deducts the toll from a pre-paid account.The lane is free to cars with two or more passengers. But state troopers are writing $124 tickets to drivers caught crossing the HOT lane's double-white line.