PINEVILLE, NC (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — According to officials with the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, the number of drivers using the new I-485 Express toll lanes is about “double” the authority’s initial projections.

The authority said on an average weekday, about 18,000 total transactions and 7,500 unique vehicles are recorded in the express lanes. On the weekend, officials said that the average drops to about 5,000 total transactions and 2,700 unique vehicles in the express lanes.

How much will an average commute cost drivers using I-485 Express Lanes?

“Folks can stay in the free general-purpose lanes all day long,” said Logen Hodges, director of marketing & communications for the North Carolina Turnpike Authority. “But if you’ve got a meeting or a school function, or something going on with a family that you need to bypass a little bit of congestion, that option’s going to be there.”

The authority said this early data reflects “travel time reliability and congestion relief” that the express lanes are designed to provide since opening to traffic on Feb. 28.

Meanwhile, the authority indicated that within 12 months of opening, dynamic pricing in the express lanes will be implemented. Officials said once implemented, prices will fluctuate depending on factors like the number of drivers in the express lanes and the average speeds of traffic.

“Once you see a toll rate on the sign when you enter the lane, that’s exactly what you’re going to pay,” said Hodges. “It’s not going to switch on people as they’re traveling. They’re going to know exactly what they pay before they enter that segment.”

The authority is encouraging drivers to use an NC Quick Pass in the I-485 express lanes. Drivers without an NC Quick Pass will likely pay a higher toll rate.

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