American Dream

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation allowing the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) to convert HOV lanes to HOT (high-occupancy/toll) lanes. This will make it possible for anyone to use the HOV lanes if they pay a toll. The new law requires that the tolls vary with the amount of congestion so that the HOT lanes will never be congested. High-occupancy vehicles still get to use the lanes for free.

CalTrans says that the paperwork required to make the change means that construction won't begin until 2007 and probably won't be completed until 2010. Now if only Gov. Schwarzenegger can convince the legislature to reduce red tape . . .