Here Are The Rules For The New Oakland County Carpool Lanes: WATCH

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — State officials want to make drivers know the rules for the new carpool lanes that are coming to Oakland County.

The Michigan Department of Transportation released a new video that specifically explains how drivers should use the new carpool lanes, which are expected to open along a 14-mile stretch on Interstate 75 in Oakland County by the end of October.

"Opening these HOV lanes continues MDOT’s commitment to modernizing our high-volume freeways," State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich said. "Similar to the Flex Routes on US-23 and I-96, the HOV lanes will improve mobility and make I-75 travel safer."

Once the carpool lanes open, any vehicle with more than one person would be allowed to use the designated lane from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. The lanes would then be open to all traffic outside the designated times. There will also be carpool lot parking locations at Adams and 12 Mile roads.

Emergency vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, buses and motorcycles will be exempt from the lanes. A driver found violating carpool lane restrictions could be penalized with a civil fine of at least $250, according to the legislation.

The lanes will be built along with the Interstate 75 Modernization project, meaning federal dollars will be used to fund the project. It was unclear how much the project would cost taxpayers.
Officials hope the new lanes will reduce congestion from normal lanes during rush hour and improve overall traffic operations, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Michigan would become the 20th state to use high occupancy vehicle lanes on its freeways, according to the Federal Highway Administration.