HOUSTON -- Drivers' commutes on the Katy Freeway may get a bit easier on Wednesday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

The freeway's managed lanes will open to high-occupancy vehicles at 5 a.m. Wednesday.

The managed lanes replace the single reversible lane that drivers used in the past.

There are two lanes in each direction that will serve METRO buses, HOV riders, motorcycles and single-occupancy vehicles with drivers who are willing to pay a fee.

"Whether its people that are commuting to work everyday or somebody that only takes one trip every year going to grandmother's house for Thanksgiving dinner, they like to have the option to know that they can get there and have an alternative route and get there in a smooth, safe and reliable fashion," Federal Highway Administrator Tom Madison said.

Until Spring 2009, the managed lanes will only be open to buses, HOV riders and motorcycles during normal HOV lane hours, 5 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 8 p.m. weekdays.

The lanes will eventually be open 24 hours.

When the lanes open to single-riders, the toll will change throughout the day depending on the amount of congestion in the lanes.

The Katy Freeway reconstruction project took more than 5 years to complete for about $2.8 billion. About 200,000 vehicles travel on the freeway daily.

Check Traffic Now:

• Houston TranStar Real-Time Traffic Map


• Traffic Pulse Real-Time Traffic Map


• Traffic Section


• Houston Transtar


• Texas Dept. of Transportation Web site or call 800-452-9292


• Harris County Office of Emergency Management Web site

Check Construction Information:

Map: Freeway Construction Projects
TxDOT Freeway Construction Schedule