'HOT" Lanes in offing for metro Seattle?

It appears as if a Stretch of Hwy. 167 selected for study of toll 'HOT' lanes

The HOV lanes on Highway 167 between Renton and Auburn could become the region's first "HOT" lanes — open not just to transit and car pools but also to solo drivers willing to pay a toll.

The state Department of Transportation plans to spend the next few months studying the idea. A recommendation could come before the end of the year.

Converting the freeway's high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes to high-occupancy/toll (HOT) lanes between Interstate 405 in Renton and 15th Street Northwest in Auburn would require the state Transportation Commission's approval. State laws and federal regulations that prohibit tolls on existing highways built with federal help would need to be amended or waived.

And the department would need to find money to pay for the project.

But if the study's results are encouraging and those obstacles are overcome, the HOT lanes could be operating by late next year, said Mike Cummings, the department's corridor-planning manager.

Car pools and buses on Highway 167 would continue to use the lanes at no charge.

Cummings said 167 was selected over other highways for study and possible conversion because, while peak-period congestion in the freeway's general-purpose lanes is bad, the HOV lanes have plenty of unused capacity.

I am skeptical about congestion pricing. But experimentation is healthy. So let's try it. I do not see a great deal of downside risk, at this point.