Mar. 21, 2013 – If you are interested in what is next for the HOT Lanes in Gwinnett County, you are in luck, there will be public meetings over the next couple of weeks, including a meeting today, discussing the high occupancy toll lanes to Hamilton Mill Road.

The 10-mile project, running along Interstate 85 and beginning at Old Peachtree Road, also involves construction of a bridge at Interstate 985, which cuts through North Gwinnett, then Hall County en route to Gainesville.

The HOT lanes now run between Old Peachtree Road in Gwinnett County and Chamblee-Tucker Road in DeKalb County.

They enable drivers who have a “Peach Pass” sticker, or transponder, fixed to their windshield to travel without the congestion of other lanes but for a toll based on the level of traffic.

Fees are waived for those driving motorcycles, alternative-fuel cars with proper license plates and vehicles carrying three or more people.

Unlike the existing HOT lanes on I-85, the Express Lanes from Old Peachtree to Hamilton Mill Road will involve building new lanes, rather than converting existing high occupancy vehicle, or HOV, lanes.

The first public meeting is set for 4-7 PM today in the Atrium Gallery at the Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.

The second meeting is scheduled for 4-7 PM March 28 at the Braselton Police and Municipal Court Building.