Editing Interstate 394 (section)

===E-ZPass Minnesota toll lanes===
There are two [[high-occupancy toll]] (HOT) express lanes at the center of the road. Prior to May 16, 2005, they had been traditional [[high-occupancy vehicle]] (HOV, or carpool) lanes, allowing [[bus]]ses, [[motorcycle]]s, and vehicles with two or more occupants to use them during [[rush-hour]] periods, while single-occupancy vehicles were not permitted. Now, drivers riding alone can use the lanes at any time but must have an [[MnPASS|E-ZPass Minnesota]] [[electronic toll collection]] transponder in order to pay for using the express portions.

[[Image:394EastBound.jpg|thumb|left|I-394 heading eastbound toward downtown [[Minneapolis]]. Notice the [[E-ZPass Minnesota]] toll lane to the left.]]
From [[Interstate 494|I-494]] to [[Minnesota State Highway 100|MN&nbsp;100]], the lanes of I-394 are separated from traffic by double white lines. Between MN&nbsp;100 and [[Interstate 94 in Minnesota|I-94]]/[[U.S. Route 52 in Minnesota|US&nbsp;52]] near downtown, the two lanes are combined into a reversible expressway in the [[Median strip|median]] that is separated from the eastbound and westbound lanes by [[concrete]] barriers. This segment changes directions to accommodate the traffic flow at different times of day, so, in the morning, it is open to downtown-bound eastward flowing traffic, while it is open to westbound traffic in the evening.

An E-ZPass Minnesota electronic transponder is required in order to pay [[Electronic toll collection|toll]]s because there are no [[Toll road|tollbooth]]s on the roadway. The price varies depending on the time of day and flow of traffic. Lone drivers were previously allowed to use the express lanes in off-peak times, but this is no longer allowed under the new system unless the sign says the cost is "OPEN", meaning free. The decision to make the nonreversible lanes free on off-hours was reached due to complaints about essentially making a four-lane freeway in an area that, even on off-hours, sorely needed six. Toll rates are expected to generally fall between $1.00 and $4.00, with a potential maximum of $8.00. Off-hours are charged as $0.25 on the [[reversible lane]]s and free on the one-way lanes. The white line-separated and reversible expressway sections are priced separately. The lanes are still open free to busses, motorcycles, and cars with two or more people, no matter the time of day, and such vehicles do not require transponders to use the lanes.

Using the express lanes as a lone driver without a transponder during charged periods or crossing the double white lines will result in a large fine placed upon the driver. To enter and exit properly, vehicles must use an entry point without double white lines. The line rule is true even when the lane is free of charge.

Transponders began to be sold a few weeks before the May 16, 2005, opening date. By June 2005, about 6,500&nbsp;drivers had signed up for the system.