If you’re a bus rider on Interstate 66, get ready the possibility of a faster commute at 25 mph.
If you’re a driver on I-66, get ready to see transit buses passing you on the shoulder.
A new pilot project called I-66 Bus On Shoulder starting March 23 will allow OmniRide commuter buses to use the shoulder lanes of I-66 when highway speeds drop below 35 mph. When these buses hit congestion, bus drivers will be allowed to pull onto the highway shoulders at certain sections and continue past traffic congestion at 25 mph.
Bus drivers will be able to utilize about six miles of a shoulder lane along I-66, and just over a mile of shoulder on a portion of the road that connects to Dulles Toll Road.
Here’s a complete breakdown of segments of highway transit bus drivers will able to use:
- Extension of the existing shoulder use on the eastbound Dulles Connector Road where it ends at the West Falls Church Metro station to the merge onto eastbound I-66 near the Great Falls Street overpass
- Eastbound I-66 from the US 29 overpass near Spout Run Parkway to N. Quinn Street
- Westbound I-66 from beyond the Rosslyn Tunnel (N. Nash Street) to the US 29 overpass near Spout Run Parkway
- Westbound I-66 from the N. Quincy Street underpass to the auxiliary lane beyond North Fairfax Drive
The I-66 On Shoulder project is a $600,000 pilot program that will test how allowing buses to use the shoulder lane to skirt traffic congestion will work. Later this year, more transit providers will be allowed to use the shoulders after agreements are formed by the Virginia Department of Transportation and the respective transit companies.
The shoulder traffic pattern was put in place on the Dulles Connector Road since 2000, according to officials. The program is modeled after a similar bus-on-shoulder traffic patter in Minnesota, which has about 300 shoulder lane miles open for transit bus use.
The get the highway ready for the new program, crews spent the better part of the past year trimming trees, relocating mileposts, placing new signs, and widening portions of the shoulders than needed them, according to officials.
The bus on shoulder program announcement comes after state officials announced they want to place express toll lanes in I-66, similar to the E-ZPass Express Lanes that opened on I-95 late last year
Recent Stories
Rappahannock Education Farm (REF) Manager Rich Larochelle said he and a squad of volunteers prepped a 360-square-foot plot of Fredericksburg farmland to plant hundreds of seeds of produce last week.
Stafford County Sheriff is asking for public assistance in investigating an April 12 shooting.
On April 13 at 8:12 p.m., officers responded to the Walmart located at 14000 Worth Avenue in Woodbridge to investigate an unattended child.
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office needs your help identifying this individual involved in a recent larceny in Stafford Market Place.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges? Do stress and anxiety seem to dominate your thoughts? At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand that navigating mental health can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our team of compassionate therapists is here to guide you on your journey toward inner peace and emotional well-being. With a client-centered approach, we tailor our therapy sessions to meet your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re struggling with depression, coping with trauma, or simply seeking personal growth, we provide a safe and supportive space for healing and growth.
Embark on a path of self-discovery with our comprehensive range of therapy services, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and holistic approaches. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to helping you cultivate resilience, develop coping skills, and foster a greater sense of self-awareness.
Are you facing life’s challenges, feeling overwhelmed, or seeking personal growth? Embrace the path to emotional well-being with our expert psychotherapy services!
Why Choose Us?
Our team of compassionate and experienced psychotherapists is here to guide you on your journey to inner peace, self-discovery, and positive change. We provide a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Free Irish Music Concert
Welcoming Spring with music from the Emerald Isle, the New Dominion Choraliers offer a FREE concert on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City.
Joined by Legacy Brass and members of Old
Spring Ceili: An Irish Music Festival
The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County and McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance invite you to join them at our Ceili, a grand celebration of Irish music and dance.
A gathering of performance groups throughout Prince William County
