EXPRESS LANES: By the numbers | News

ATLANTA -- The State Road and Tollway Authority has released new information about the controversial Express Lanes during their first few days in operation.

The Tollway Authority says the average speed in the Express Lanes during the morning commute Wednesday was double the speed in the general purpose lanes -- 54 mph versus 27 mph.

And travel times for drivers paying to use the Express Lanes was also significantly less -- 16 minutes compared to 41 minutes in the general purpose lanes. The Tollway Authority measured the travel time along the entire length of the Express Lanes from Old Peachtree Road to Chamblee Tucker Road.

But the Express Lanes come with a hefty price tag. The Tollway Authority charged drivers $5.40 to use the lane during the heaviest part of the morning and evening commutes.