Northern Virginia HOT Lanes

[froggie]

All well and good in Stafford County.  The problem is there isn't room for such in Fairfax County without some pretty significant engineering and construction (and probably right-of-way).

Perhaps VDOT should get the ball rolling on such a thing. Elevated or sunken express lanes are both options, and both have been successfully implemented in other areas. They're not impossible.

I never said they were impossible.  Technically and engineering-wise, yes it is possible.  But what you continually ignore on this forum is the political and financial reality.

Sure, Transurban sold the state on a "sweet deal" to invest a few billion in the existing lanes.  But to get bi-directional through the aforementioned choke points would require a order-of-magnitude higher investment.  How high would tolls have to get for Transurban to pony up that much more cash?  And, moreso, would the traveling public be willing to accept that higher toll?  They're already screaming enough as it is.

[1995hoo]

Here is something new starting next week. I'm having trouble envisioning where this "diversion" will occur. The only slip ramp I can picture for northbound traffic in that area is down by the Prince William Parkway.

https://twitter.com/VAExpressLanes/status/1720075304612642904

[Mapmikey]

Here is something new starting next week. I'm having trouble envisioning where this "diversion" will occur. The only slip ramp I can picture for northbound traffic in that area is down by the Prince William Parkway.

https://twitter.com/VAExpressLanes/status/1720075304612642904

This is the ramp they mean...
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PtUENt1U1o92VXGf7

[froggie]

Given the description, the slip ramp near PW Pkwy does seem logical.

[1995hoo]

This is the ramp they mean...
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PtUENt1U1o92VXGf7

Thanks. That's the one I thought of, but I wouldn't consider that to be "near" Route 123, especially in view of the map they posted.

[Mapmikey]

This is the ramp they mean...
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PtUENt1U1o92VXGf7

Thanks. That's the one I thought of, but I wouldn't consider that to be "near" Route 123, especially in view of the map they posted.

It's signed for VA 123 which may be the source of their description.  If they said "at VA 294" that would confuse people because there is no VA 294 posting NB on the express lanes.

[1995hoo]

Channel 4 just reported that the remaining new access points for the I-95 HO/T lanes' southern extension will open on December 7.

[Mapmikey]

They have now redone the segments at the south end of I-95 in both directions.  As was predicted, SB the last segment is SR 610 to US 17; NB the first segment is US 17 to the first possible exit, the slip ramp to access Exit 148 Quantico MCB.

Two unusual things:  NB from US 17, the toll rates are shown for Quantico and Dumfries, always the same price.  Because you would use the same Exit 148 slip ramp.  But it is not signed as being for Dumfries.

The other is that at both the SR 610 entrance ramps to NB and the new last entrance ramp from 95 SB to the lanes, they list prices for destinations that are not in the same segment.  Then shortly after entering the lanes you get another set of toll rates if you don't depart at the next exit.  The values are always less than what was on the mainline signs you just went under.  This may be confusing to motorists when they think they should be charged the lower numbers.

Also, they have not expanded the 70 mph zone with the opening of the Quantico area ramps (though there are still some temporary jersey walls up).