Will Decades-Old Slug System on I-95 Remain after Express Lanes Open?

Slug Tales

I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure how I feel about the 95 Express lanes.

The $925 million project is a joint venture between Transurban DRIVe and Fluor Enterprises, Inc, which will eventually expand the two existing HOV lanes on I-95 down to Garrisonville Road in Stafford County, and add a third lane between Prince William Parkway and Edsall Road on I-395.

North of Edsall Road, the HOV lanes will remain as they are.

Scheduled to open in late 2014, the finished project will result in 29 miles of express lanes which vehicles can access for free by having three or more occupants, or by choosing to pay a toll. This means that drivers can opt to drive the 95 Express Lanes solo, by shelling out a few bucks to avoid the traffic in the regular lanes.

Drivers wouldn’t have to pick up slugs.

So then, what would become of the slug system as it exists now? Would drivers still be willing to pick up slugs, for toll-free access to the Express Lanes?

Here’s another detail – the HOV restriction hours will completely change as well, and the Express Lanes restrictions will be in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Unlike the current HOV lanes, which are open only to high occupancy vehicles (HOV-3+) between 6:30 and 9 a.m., and from 3:30 until 6 p.m., there will be no time restrictions. At all times, drivers with fewer than three occupants will pay a toll to use the lanes.

Many slugs are concerned about the changes the 95 Express Lanes will bring. Will drivers remain faithful to the system, or will they turn their backs on slugs with the option to pay for Express Lane access? Although the cost per trip is estimated to be around $5-6 each way, perhaps the added expense on top of paying for gas, parking, and even wear-and-tear to your vehicle is a reason to continue slugging.

And when the restricted hours are no more, will drivers continue to look for slugs in the commuter lots after 9 a.m., or in Downtown Washington or Arlington after 6 p.m.?

I’ve had conversations while slugging with others who share these concerns, but of course, no one can answer these questions until the lanes open next year. As history tells it, slugging in Northern Virginia can be traced back to the 1970s, and it has stood the test of time thus far. But who knows whether it can survive the Express Lanes?

Sure, it sounds like the 95 Express Lanes project will have some great benefits. Some of these include new access points to the Express Lanes, new or expanded commuter lots (including a 1,000 space garage at the new Potomac Nationals Stadium at Stonebridge in Prince William County), and the extension of the lanes to Stafford County. I don’t think anyone would argue that those changes will be beneficial. How long have we all been saying that we need more parking, and that we need to build up and not out? A garage could be great. More lanes; great. More direct access to HOV. Great.

But what sacrifices will come with these changes? Will any commuters be harmed in the opening of the 95 Express Lanes? Only time will tell. For now, only one thing is certain: Express Lane construction sure isn’t helping rush hour traffic!