Vehicles with only a driver inside can use the northbound HOV lane along Interstate 279 through late February beginning Wednesday.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that it is waiving the requirement for two or more people to be in a vehicle to use the outbound High Occupancy Vehicle lane due to construction around PPG Paints Arena. Utility work near the Washington Place-Bedford Avenue-Bigelow Boulevard intersection could create congestion problems, so all motorists will be allowed to use the HOV lane outbound.
The utility work is in conjunction with new development at the site of the former Civic Arena.
Motorists traveling south, inbound, still will be required to have at least two people in their vehicle to use the HOV lane.
The HOV lanes, which are designed to promote carpooling and ease congestion, are open for inbound traffic on weekday mornings and outbound traffic in the evenings.
Ed covers transportation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at eblazina@unionprogress.com.