Soon, new express lane tolls will be effective on a portion of I-66 during peak rush hours -- a move that is expected to improve traffic conditions.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has revealed that the new I-66 express toll lanes inside the beltway will open on December 4, weather permitting. The new express lane tolls will only be effective during rush hours along a stretch of I-66 inside of the beltway and should help to alleviate traffic congestion. The Department of Transportation will have expanded HOV hours from two-and-a-half hours to four hours during morning rush hour eastbound between 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and westbound from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. However, cars with at least one passenger will not be required to pay a toll but will need an E-ZPass Flex set in HOV mode. [caption id="attachment_4769" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
courtesy of i-66expresslanes.org[/caption]
The Department of Transportation is initiating the new toll regulations as a way of making commuting more predictable and to provide motorists with new travel options. Buses and motorcyclists will not be required to pay tolls on the express lanes, while motorists driving solo will have to pay a toll the amount of which will vary based on traffic conditions displayed on signage currently being tested. Solo drivers using the express lanes during peak rush hour times will be required to have a regular E-ZPass as no money will be collected at the toll points. The tolls will be adjusted to higher prices when there is more traffic and adjusted to lower prices when traffic is light. Outside of the designated rush hours, the lanes will be free for all to use without any HOV requirements. Once the new lanes have opened, motorists who wish to determine toll prices beforehand can use the I-66 express lanes website to get an estimate of the cost of their trip.
[caption id="attachment_4766" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
courtesy of Fairfax County[/caption]
Utilizing the E-ZPass rather than collecting toll fees at booths will make the express lanes faster. Drivers who do not have the required E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex can visit Virginia’s E-ZPass website to order one and to reload their cards as necessary. The new regulations also will no longer exempt travelers going to and from Dulles Airport as well as drivers of hybrid vehicles. The affected areas of I-66 during the designated times will be along a nine-mile stretch between the I-495 exit and US Route 29 exit in Rosslyn.
