R926. Transportation, Program Development.R926-9. Establishment, Designation, and Operation of Tollways.
R926-9-1. Purpose and Authority.
(1) The purpose of this rule is to provide the procedure to establish, designate, and operate tollways.
(2) This rule is authorized by Section 72-6-118.
R926-9-2. Definitions.
As used in this rule:
(1) "Commission" means the Transportation Commission, which is created in Section 72-1-301.
(2) "Department" means the Utah Department of Transportation.
(3) "Executive Director" means the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Transportation.
(4) "HOT lane" has the meaning described in Section 72-6-118 for "high occupancy toll lane."
(5) "HOV lane" means a lane that has been designated for the use of high occupancy vehicles pursuant to Section 41-6a-702.
(6) "Toll" means the toll or user fees that the operator of a motor vehicle must pay for the privilege of driving on a tollway, including the toll or user fees that the operator of a single occupant motor vehicle must pay for the privilege of driving on a HOT lane.
(7) "Toll lane" has the meaning described in Section 72-6-118.
(8) "Tollway" has the meaning described in Section 72-6-118.
(9) "Tollway development agreement" has the meaning described in Section 72-6-202.
R926-9-3. Designation of Tollways.
(1)(a) The department may consider:
(i) designating tollways, including the designation of existing HOV lanes as HOT lanes;
(ii) widening existing highways to add one or more toll lanes; and
(iii) converting an existing highway to a tollway.
(b) In deciding whether to designate a tollway, the department may evaluate whether:
(i) the tollway would make the specific highway or the highway system more efficient;
(ii) the designation or addition would increase available funds, reduce operational costs, or expedite project delivery; and
(iii) the project is consistent with the overall policies, strategies, and actions of the department, including those strategies that are developed through the regular transportation planning process.
(2) Commission approval is required for designation of HOT lanes on existing state highways and establishment of tollways on new state highways or additional capacity lanes.
(3) If the department wishes to designate a tollway, it shall submit its recommendations to the commission and request approval.
(4) The commission will evaluate the recommendations and make a final decision.
(5) The commission will issue its decision in a public meeting.
(6) Tollways shall comply with all design and construction standards and specifications normally applicable to department projects, except as may be otherwise agreed to by the department in writing.
(7) Tolls are determined in accordance with Rule R940-1 and Section 72-6-118.
KEY: transportation, tolls, highways, tollways
Date of Last Change: June 12, 2026
Notice of Continuation: March 21, 2026
Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 72-2-120; 72-6-118
