Saturday, February 23, 2013
Survey results also reveal barriers preventing commuters from using the lanes, which opened in November 2012.
More than 80 percent of I-495 Express Lanes users reported reduced trip times, according to the results of a survey of more than 1,700 frequent Capital Beltway drivers conducted by Express Lanes management. Eighty-two percent of users of the Express Lanes polled in the survey “estimated a real time savings on their trip,” according to the results released Wednesday. The lanes opened in November 2012 on the Virginia side of the Beltway promising easier but pricier trips to commuters. All drivers must have an E-ZPass or E-ZPass FlexSM to pay the fares to use the Express Lanes. The survey also revealed some of the barriers preventing people from using the lanes: 46 percent of travelers polled said they don’t have an E-ZPass. Figuring out how …
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
A ramp connecting I-66 to I-495 will close on Friday, Oct. 12.
Depending on the way you get to work, your morning commute may be getting a little bit longer starting in a few weeks. The HOV ramp connecting the eastbound lanes of Interstate 66 to the Capital Beltway will close following morning rush hour on Friday, Oct. 12 and re-open later this year as an Express Lanes ramp. A spokesman for Virginia Megaprojects explained in a press statement, "HOV-drivers affected by this new traffic pattern are urged to follow highway message signs that will be in place along I-66, approaching I-495. Drivers should expect additional delays in this area for several weeks, and should allow extra time in their commutes." For details about the Express Lanes, how they work and when they are planned to open for drivers, …
Saturday, September 29, 2012
The closure is part of the I-95 Express Lanes Project.
Starting Monday, the I-95 southbound slip ramp to Lorton will close permanently. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, "In the Springfield area, motorists will transition from the southbound I-95 HOV lanes to the general purpose lanes using the left exit ramp marked: Route 286 Fairfax County Parkway/Newington/Ft. Belvoir. The next opportunity to exit the southbound HOV lanes will be at Route 1, Exit 161." See the PDF at right for a map and other details on this closure. The exit is closing as part of the ongoing 95 Express Lanes construction project that could make travel faster on 95 throughout Northern Virginia. To use the new Express Lanes, you'll need an EZ Pass. For more on the Express Lanes construction, visit www…
Friday, September 14, 2012
The first of three express buses will run from Burke to Tysons. Routes from Lorton and Springfield set for next spring.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved Tuesday a series of express bus routes to Tysons Corner. The service will use the nearly completed I-495 Express Lanes to shuttle commuters from the Burke Centre Virginia Railway Express (VRE), Lorton VRE and Springfield VRE stations to Tysons. The three bus routes are expected to run every 15 minutes during rush hours, and one-way fares are expected to cost between $3.65 and $5.35. Final fare and schedule details will be decided in the fall. “These new bus routes are a great step in the effort to reduce congestion on our roads and provide more transportation alternatives for our residents.” Chairman Bulova said in a statement. “People taking advantage of this new opportunity will enjoy a …
Mark Harnet
5:01 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
They built a wonderfull (express) two lane bridge connecting dulles access to 495 but did NADA to alleviate congestion for the main road, where all the traffic is. Why have an empty access road? more ›