The Georgia Dept. of Transportation is exploring whether to use private financing to help fund a $500-million, 12-mile expansion of Atlanta’s High Occupancy Vehicle lane system. DOT officials planned a presolicitation meeting on Aug. 2 for private parties interested in a possible public-private initiative.

The proposal to add two managed lanes in each direction on Interstate 20, east of Atlanta, has been under development for several years. “There is no guarantee that it would be funded in six years,” says GDOT Treasurer Earl Mahfuz. “Because of existing improvements, connections to other HOV lanes and congestion, this project is low-hanging fruit for private development.”