‘FredEx’ project will expand I-95 toll lane network in Stafford County

STAFFORD — The Stafford County Board of Supervisors met with Transurban to discuss the expansion of Interstate 95 E-ZPass Express Lanes.

The E-ZPass lanes will be extended to milepost 134, just prior to Route 17, extending it from where it ends now at exit 143, Garrisonville Road. Transurban, operators of the E-ZPass lanes on I-95 and 495 in Virginia, plans to provide all funding for the new project so none of the money, $277 million, will come from Virginia or Stafford County.

The new lanes will provide 66% more capacity during peak periods. (6 a.m.- 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) The project is expected to create 9,000 construction jobs and generate $1 billion in economic activity.

The additional Express Lanes will add two new flyover ramps at the Quantico exit which will provide faster and easier access for more than 28,000 people working in Quantico and at the Quantico Marine Base. The project will also create several other access points near the Quantico exit, providing new travel options for drivers.

Dubbed the Fredericksburg Extension (Fred Ex) project, it will begin in Spring 2019 and projected to open in late 2022. When completed, the extension will operate together with existing E-ZPass lanes, and the future 395 E-ZPass Express Lanes as a single, fully-integrated toll-lane corridor between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers.

While the new lanes will provide more travel options for commuters with an E-ZPass or E-ZPass flex who can choose to use the lanes by paying a toll, or for free by having three or more occupants in their cars, Stafford leaders fear conditions on local byways will worsen.
Supervisor Wendy Maurer said the new lanes it would create more traffic not just on I-95 but also on Route 1.

“Is there compensation for Stafford for Route 1?” Maurer asked.

Transurban and the county are still in negotiations in expanding Route 1.

Sound barriers were a hot topic during the meeting. Garrisonville District Supervisor Mark Dudenhefer raised the question of potential sound barriers that will be needed during the future developments in the county.

“Stafford is the fastest growing County in the Commonwealth,” Dudenhefer said. “It’s predictable that there will be new developments and what is the plan for the sound walls?”

According to Transurban, there is no plan for sound walls to go up for future developments.
The growth in Stafford County is expected to be located near the future E-ZPass lanes.

“Everyday traffic is going to get worse,” said Dudenhefer. “This is the best it’s going to get for 25 years. How does the fastest growing County in the Commonwealth plan for this?”