Potomac Local continues its effort to keep you informed ahead of the opening of the EZ-Pass Express Lanes on I-95 from North Stafford to Edsall Road in Fairfax County.
Here is the latest information provide to us about the switch over from HOV lanes to express lanes, which begins Sunday afternoon. The information comes to us via the form of a media briefting from EZ-Pass Express Lanes operator Transurban:
Opening Preparations
Beginning tomorrow, December 12 through Sunday, December 14, we will unveil all Express Lanes signage. All HOV lanes will be closed starting the evening of Friday, December 12 until the evening of Sunday, December 14.
Roadway Opening
The evening of Sunday, December 14 the new roadway improvements will open including:
- Nine-mile extension from Dumfries to Garrisonville Road
- Third lane from Prince William Parkway to the vicinity of Edsall Road on I-395
- All new entry and exit points
From December 14 – 28, when the new capacity is open, HOV rules will continue to be in effect. The HOV regulatory signs will remain in place and dynamic message signs (DMS) will communicate the HOV rules.
The new lane use management system and the variable speed limit system will be turned on. Drivers should follow the speed posted on the variable speed limit signs. The lane use management system will alert drivers if a lane is closed to traffic. If a red “X” is displayed above, drivers should exit that lane as soon as it is safe to do so.
For two weeks, until Sunday, December 28, the Express Lanes (new capacity and new entries/exits) will be toll-free to allow travelers to benefit from the additional capacity during the holiday season. Standard HOV rules apply (with the exception of holidays).
Gate Operations
Transurban will assume gate operations along the entire I-95 and I-395 corridor on Sunday, December 14. Gate transition time on the HOV and Express Lanes facilities is expected to increase due to the nine mile southern extension and new gates. Drivers should expect delays in the afternoon transition to reverse the flow of the traffic southbound. Ultimately, the gates transition will return to standard times experienced today.
On Monday, December 15, the gates will begin to close at 10:30 a.m. instead of 11 a.m. This will help accommodate southbound traffic in the afternoon.
Tolling Begins
Tolling begins Monday, December 29. All drivers will need an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex (carpoolers) to use the Express Lanes.
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