State Sen. Curt Thompson (D-Tucker) presented Senate Bill 347, which would place a moratorium on the development of high occupancy toll (HOT) Lanes in Georgia, before the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday (Feb. 28).

“While the effort to cut Metro Atlanta’s unbearable commute times is laudable, it has become clear that the HOT lanes were a poorly researched initiative,” said Thompson in an announcement. “The typical I-85 commuter has seen their drive time doubled, and those who can afford the steep tolls are watching the costs reach all-time highs.”

“We need to closely re-evaluate the effectiveness and impact of HOT lanes before integrating them into Georgia’s other highly traveled roadways,” he said.

SB 347 would also require the Georgia General Assembly to pass legislation to designate the future return of any and all HOT lanes.

Individuals who testified on the behalf of SB 347 included Southern Environmental Law Center attorney Brian Gist and Howard Rogers, who organized a Gwinnett Town Hall meeting in late 2011 protesting HOT lanes that had been implemented on Interstate 85 in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.

Thompson represents the Fifth Senate District, which includes portions of Gwinnett and DeKalb counties. 

A committee vote on the bill has been tabled until a later date, according to the announcement.