Just drove the I-64 Express Lanes about an hour ago, counter-clockwise, from Bowers Hill to what I like to call the “Higher Rise”. Indeed, I was stuck behind a car doing 70 when I wanted to go a little faster, and at one point traffic in the GP lanes was moving faster, but for the most part I was moving faster. What’s really interesting is that the first exit out of the Express Lanes is on the downslope of the “Higher Rise”, which does make sense because it gives access to the next four interchanges, which all come in relatively close succession. They still have a little bit of work to do at the 464 cloverleaf to separate the C/D lanes from the GP lanes.
All in all, I will pay to use this lane once the tolls start, if my timing is closer to rush hour. But I still wish they had built two express lanes in each direction. The left shoulder is wide enough for an additional lane, but it would come at the cost of most of that shoulder. They really should have just built the barrier wall and drainage culvert pipe so the entire median could be used. The bridges at least shouldn’t need much additional work.