|
Release Date: June 30, 2025
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040
 In an effort to improve traffic flow and ensure a safer, faster commute for high-occupancy vehicles, METRO will implement new HOV ONLY hours during afternoon peak period on the I-69 North (Eastex) HOV/HOT lane beginning Monday, July 7.
Under the updated operations plan, single-occupant vehicles (SOVs) will not be permitted to enter the HOV lane from 4:30 to 6 p.m., aligning the Eastex corridor with METRO’s existing HOV/HOT lanes policy during peak travel times.
This change comes in response to increased congestion along the corridor during the evening rush hour. Recent field observations and rider feedback confirmed that traffic in the lane is slowing down to stop-and-go conditions.
"Through the METRONow plan, we are focused on improving regional mobility not just for our riders, but for the entire community," said Interim President & CEO Tom Jasien. "Maintaining free-flowing HOV/HOT lanes is essential to meeting our system-wide standards for reliability, and it also helps make travel easier and more predictable for drivers."
The new outbound restriction brings the I-69 North (Eastex) HOV/HOT lane in line with METRO’s other major HOV/HOT corridors, where HOV ONLY hours are already in place during both morning and evening peak periods. The morning HOV restriction from 6:30 to 8 a.m. will remain unchanged.
METRO has coordinated with the METRO Police Department and its HOV/HOT lane operations contractor to prepare for the system updates and enforcement support needed to implement the change.
|
