The rules of the road are changing for those who use HOV lanes on Intestate 95.
When the newly built 95 Express toll lanes open in December, a 29-mile stretch of the road from Route 610 in North Stafford to Edsall Road in Alexnadria, to include a large portion of the existing HOV lanes, will be tolled 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Nearly everyone will need an EZ-Pass to use the lanes — even drivers of hybrid cars. Under the old rules, vehicles with three or more occupants, hybrid cars with a clean fuel designation printed on them, and motorcycles could use the lanes at all times. Under the new rules, motorcyclists can ride free but all other vehicles need an EZ Pass or EZ-Pass Flex.
Here’s more from the Virginia Department of Transportation:
Carpoolers:
- Carpools need an E-ZPass Flex
- Carpools with three or more people can travel toll-free on the Express Lanes with an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode.
- E-ZPass Flex works like a standard E-ZPass but allows carpoolers to switch between HOV and toll-paying modes. The switchable E-ZPass Flex lets the Express Lanes operator know which vehicles are HOV-3+ so that they aren’t charged a toll.
Drivers of Hybrid Vehicles with Clean Fuel Plates:
When the 95 Express Lanes open, hybrid vehicles with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2006 must pay a toll or have three people in the car to use the Lanes. The rules affecting hybrids are as follows:
- Hybrid drivers can ride toll-free on the 95 Express Lanes with three people in the vehicle and an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode; or,
- They can pay the toll with an E-ZPass if traveling with fewer than three people in the vehicle.
- The 95 Express Lanes will end just north of Edsall Road. From Edsall Road to Washington, D.C., the HOV lanes will exist with the same rules that are in effect today. Hybrid vehicles with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2006 will continue to be allowed to use the HOV lanes without three people in the vehicle on the I-395 HOV lanes. For more information about the transition area just north of Edsall Road on I-395, please visit: 95ExpressLanes.com/transition.
Drivers of Trucks, Commercial/18-Wheel Vehicles:
- Vehicles with more than two axles – including 18-wheel trucks – will not be permitted to access the 95 Express Lanes.
- Small and mid-sized trucks with two axles may use the Express Lanes as toll paying customers or they may travel toll-free if they have an E-ZPass Flexset to HOV mode and three or more people in the vehicle.
Law Enforcement Officials:
- Local, state or federal law enforcement officials will not be exempt from toll and HOV requirements on the 95 Express Lanes unless in the direct pursuit of their duties, which does not include commuting to and from the workplace.
- Law enforcement officials can contact the Express Lanes pre or post travel for trips they believe qualify as exempt. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Motorcycles:
- Motorcycles do not need an E-ZPass.
Unlike the existing HOV lanes, the rules of the road for the new 95 Express Lanes will be in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends. Vehicles may not tow trailers on the 95 Express Lanes. HOV-3+ vehicles with an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode, motorcycles and transit will have toll-free access to the Express Lanes at all times; drivers with fewer than three occupants can choose to pay a toll with E-ZPass to use the lanes on occasions when they need to get somewhere on time.
Get an E-ZPass:
Drivers can get an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex at more than 75 convenient Northern Virginia retail locations including Wegmans, select Giant Food Stores, or at one of the E-ZPass Customer Service Centers, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles; online or by calling Virginia E-ZPass at (877) 762-7824. Visit www.ezpassva.com or call the Customer Service Center for more information – (877) 762-7824.
The 95 Express Lanes are being delivered through a public-private partnership between VDOT and Transurban with Fluor-Lane 95, LLC constructing the Express Lanes. For more information on how I-95 drivers can use the 95 Express Lanes please visit www.95ExpressLanes.com. For up-to-date construction information please visit www.vamegaprojects.com.
