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The new Express Lanes brand

November 20, 2018

The new Express Lanes brand is almost here.

The 495 and 95 Express Lanes brand is getting a digital makeover, because we all need a little wardrobe update every once and awhile.

What does this mean for you?

Don’t worry, nothing’s changing about the fast and reliable service on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes.

Mark your calendars and check back next week.

More D.C. area drivers are choosing the Express Lanes. Here’s Why.

September 21, 2018

More D.C. area drivers are choosing the Express Lanes. Here’s why.

The express version

  • Drivers agree: The 95 and 495 Express Lanes are a good way to save time and beat traffic.
  • The more drivers use the Lanes, the more they tend to like them.
  • A majority of drivers who use the Lanes believe there’s a personal and regional benefit.
  • To learn more about the State of the Lanes 2018 report and what we're hearing from people in the region, email us at media@expresslanes.com

When it comes to transportation issues, finding consensus among D.C. area drivers isn’t always easy. Yet, according to our State of the Lanes 2018 report, there are several areas where drivers in the region agree:

1. While a majority of drivers say traffic is a serious problem, most say they use the 95 and 495 Express Lanes to get where they’re going faster.

Of the 1,732 drivers we surveyed for the report, 58% consider traffic a serious problem. That ranks it higher on the list of issues facing the region than housing costs (47%), costs of living (47%) and the costs of healthcare (41%).

At the same time, a majority of drivers (52%) now say they use the 95 and 495 Express Lanes – up from last year. Of that total, nearly three in ten say they use the Lanes at least once a month.

2. Three in four drivers who use the Express Lanes say it’s to save time.

Whether they’re headed to work, running errands or embarking on the next family road trip, Express Lanes drivers see time-savings as a major value-add. Not only are they busy people; they recognize that less time behind the wheel means more time for the activities and the people they love.

As a group, frequent toll payers are more likely to rush home to children under the age of 18 at the end of the day. A majority are under the age of 45 and rely on convenience services such as meal-prep or grocery delivery to get through their busy week. Amazon boxes are regularly found on their doorstep and most don’t mind paying a fee for convenience services or tolls. In fact, some are landing jobs at companies that fund or reimburse their tolls for business travel and daily commuting.

3. Positive impressions of the Express Lanes rise with frequency of use.

Simply put, the more drivers use the Lanes, the more satisfied they are. Nearly nine in ten who use the Lanes frequently say they see a benefit not only to themselves but also to the region.

To learn more about the State of the Lanes 2018 report and what we’re hearing from people in the region, email us at media@expresslanes.com.

If you’re an Express Lanes driver, tell us why you #LovetheLanes on Facebook or Twitter. If you’re not, find out how to add a little extra time to your day.

 

Labor Day weekend travel tips

August 23, 2018

Labor Day weekend travel tips

To save time and avoid road delays, use 95 Express Lanes during off-peak hours

The express version

  • Last Labor Day weekend, drivers who used the 95 Express Lanes saved an average of 35 minutes
  • To save time and avoid delays, the Express Lanes team encourages drivers to use the 95 Express Lanes during off-peak hours through Tuesday, September 4

Alexandria, Va. – Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year. The 95 and 495 Express Lanes team recommends planning ahead to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

Congestion is expected to surge as early as Wednesday, August 29, on both the regular I-95 lanes and the 95 Express Lanes. To save time and avoid delays, the Express Lanes team encourages drivers to use the 95 Express Lanes during off-peak hours through Tuesday, September 4.

What to expect and when to travel

The Express Lanes will help drivers get where they’re going faster. Last year, more than 250,000 trips were taken on the 95 Express Lanes during Labor Day weekend; drivers who took the Lanes saved an average of 35 minutes compared to those who did not.

  • Traffic will likely be heaviest from Wednesday, August 29 to Friday, August 31. For those headed out of town, here are the best off-peak times to drive:
  • Wednesday, August 29 and Thursday, August 30: Before 3 p.m. or after 7 p.m.
  • Friday, August 31: Before 11 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
  • Toll prices may be higher than normal during peak travel times, so it pays to think ahead. By visiting ExpressLanes.com or downloading the free Express Lanes mobile app (Apple App Store® or the Google Play Store®),drivers can check real-time toll pricing and live traffic updates before hitting the road.
  • As an added help, the 95 Express Lanes reversal schedule and I-395 HOV Lanes occupancy restrictions are being adjusted. This should help prevent further traffic and keep drivers moving.
  • Thursday, August 30 and Friday, August 31: Southbound reversal begins at 10:30 a.m.
  • Saturday, September 1: Northbound reversal begins at 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 2:  Lanes remain northbound all day
  • Monday, September 3:  Lanes remain northbound all day; I-395 HOV restrictions are lifted
  • Tuesday, September 4: Southbound reversal now begins at 11 a.m.; I-395 HOV restrictions are back in effect

How to stay updated

Once drivers are on the road, pricing and traffic updates will be available on overhead signs. This includes:

  • A sign before the Garrisonville Road exit alerting drivers of any delays on the southbound 95 Express Lanes. Drivers will have the option to exit the Lanes at Garrisonville Road or continue to the end of the 95 Express Lanes, near Courthouse Road.
  • A sign before the Quantico/Joplin Road exit recommending drivers exit to the regular lanes if there are major delays on the Express Lanes.

Updates will also be shared via Twitter (@VAExpressLanes). 

About the Express Lanes operated by Transurban

The 95 and 495 Express Lanes provide drivers in Northern Virginia with faster and more predictable travel options. The Express Lanes stretch more than 40 miles from north of the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County. Thanks to a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of northern Virginia’s most congested roadways.  For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.

 

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Transurban Awards $10,000 Community Partnership Grant to Joint EMS Bike Team from Fairfax County and Vienna

June 11, 2018

May 24, 2018

The Emergency Medical Services Bike Team from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department were awarded a $10,000 community partnership grant to support their ongoing cooperative operations to provide emergency response to citizens throughout Fairfax County. The special one-time grant from Transurban was created last November in honor of the five-year anniversary of the 495 Express Lanes.

The winners were selected from more than 40 applicants from the region. The grant application was opened to Washington, D.C., area nonprofits, which were invited to partner together on a project or initiative that would benefit their respective communities. The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department entered with a proposal that would enhance their joint EMS Bike Team, which provides swift response for medical emergencies at large, crowded events; in parks; and on trails inaccessible by typical emergency response vehicles.

“The increasing population, community expansion and numerous mass gatherings throughout Fairfax County bring challenges such as vehicle access limitations that can lead to delayed arrival at a patient’s side,” said Deputy Chief Jason Jenkins, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. “The Transurban partnership is an achievement for Fairfax County first responders and the community we serve, allowing us to provide a rapid response capability during events with large crowds and in densely populated areas.”

Grant funds will be used to strengthen the EMS Bike Team program via additional deployment capacity. This will result in the ability to expand EMS services at community events and on the trails in the county. A greater presence at community events and on trails will decrease the time it takes to reach a patient’s side for medical events occurring within limited-access areas. This will also give the team resources to provide additional patrols and support multiple events simultaneously.

In addition to this one-time grant opportunity, Transurban operates two quarterly grant programs: the Express Lanes Community Grant Program and the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program. Transurban has awarded more than $786,000 to more than 182 Northern Virginia organizations through its grant programs.

About the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department

The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department is a community-focused nonprofit volunteer organization. Its sole purpose is to protect and preserve the lives and property of the citizens of the Town of Vienna and Fairfax County in the event of fire, medical and other emergencies.

About the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is dedicated to being a premier community-focused fire and rescue department, thereby ensuring a safe environment for everyone. It also provides the highest-quality services to protect the lives, property and environment of the Northern Virginia community.

 

395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program Awards Funding to the Bright Resilient Youth Committed to Enrichment and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program

June 11, 2018

 
 
May 28, 2017
 
Transurban announced that the Bright Resilient Youth Committed to Enrichment (BRYCE) and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP)’s SoberRide each received a $5,000
grant this spring through the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program.
 
“As part of the Northern Virginia community, Transurban cares about the wellbeing and safety of the communities in which we operate and seeks opportunities to address the needs of
our neighbors and community partners,” said Mike McGurk, spokesman, Transurban. “We are excited to support the BRYCE project and WRAP’s SoberRide program in their efforts to
improve the wellbeing of our neighbors through the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program."
 
Bryce Project
 
The BRYCE project is an enrichment program designed to engage young women in activities that develop their social and emotional skills. The participants learn the values of thecommunity and give back by doing random acts of kindness as individuals and in groups. BRYCE encourages friendship, diversity, and individuality and plants the seed at an early age of the importance of education.  
 
“The BRYCE Project was pleased to receive a grant from the 395 Express Lanes grant program,” said LaVon Curtis, Founder, BRYCE Project. “As an all-volunteer organization, these funds allow us to continue our work in providing community, leadership, and mentoring to young women as they prepare for adulthood. One of our upcoming events supported by this grant is a career event which provides young women the chance to hear real-life lessons from professional women and engage in networking.” 
 
WRAP
 
The WRAP is a non-profit focused on using effective education, innovative programs, and targeted advocacy to end alcohol-impaired driving and underage drinking in the Washington, D.C. metro area. It is best known for its free taxi service, SoberRide, which discourages drunk driving and has provided more than 65,000 free rides to would-be impaired drivers in the Greater Washington Area. The program is credited with keeping the area’s alcohol related traffic deaths lower than the national average. 
 
“This 395 Express Lanes grant is helping improve safety for the region, through WRAP’s assistance to those enjoying drinks on holidays to know they have the option to get home without getting behind the wheel…we will continue to partner on four other holidays this year, due to the generous support by our sponsors including Transurban,” said Kurt Erickson, President and CEO, WRAP.
 
 

 

Partnering with Virginia on Express Lanes

June 11, 2018

A leading developer, operator and long- term concessionaire of toll roads since its establishment in 1996, Transurban’s vision is to strengthen communities through transport and we partner with governments to meet the long-term transportation needs of communities. Transurban has built a solid track record of financing, delivering and operating sustainable, innovative and efficient toll road projects in Australia and the U.S. 

In Northern Virginia, Transurban partnered with the Commonwealth of Virginia to deliver and manage a network of Express Lanes to unlock gridlock in one of the nation’s most congested corridors. Without the ability to build its way out of congestion, Virginia looked to a solution that would get I-95 and I-495 moving again while also advancing key policy and community objectives.

Delivered on-time and on-budget, the 495 and 95 Express Lanes projects provided $3 billion in transportation improvements to the region and delivered real time savings to travelers. But the benefits go beyond the Express Lanes. The projects met key policy objectives that protected taxpayers, bolstered HOV and transit in this critical corridor, enhanced the infrastructure and throughput surrounding the Express Lanes and benefited the Virginia local communities. 

Transurban Awards $10,000 Community Partnership Grant to Joint EMS Bike Team from Fairfax County and Vienna

May 24, 2018

Tysons, Va. — Transurban, operator of the 495 and 95 Express Lanes, met yesterday in Reston Town Center with representatives from Fairfax County to award the joint Emergency Medical Services Bike Team from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department with a $10,000 community partnership grant to support their ongoing cooperative operations to provide emergency response to citizens throughout Fairfax County. The special one-time grant from Transurban was created last November in honor of the five-year anniversary of the 495 Express Lanes.

“We are excited to support the EMS Bike community partnership with this special grant,” said David Mueller, vice president of operations, Transurban North America. “Their team is a great example of the value in long-term community partnerships that help improve peoples’ lives, which is a value that we share at Transurban, as we work to collaborate and innovate with partners in the Washington, D.C., area and around the world to keep people moving.”

The winners were selected from more than 40 applicants from the region. The grant application was opened to Washington, D.C., area nonprofits, which were invited to partner together on a project or initiative that would benefit their respective communities. The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department entered with a proposal that would enhance their joint EMS Bike Team, which provides swift response for medical emergencies at large, crowded events; in parks; and on trails inaccessible by typical emergency response vehicles.

Participants at the awards ceremony included:

  • Members of the joint EMS Bike Team from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.
  • Sharon Bulova, chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
  • Laurie DiRocco, mayor, Vienna.
  • Jason Jenkins, deputy fire chief, and Willie Bailey, battalion chief of public affairs and community outreach, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
  • John Morrison, volunteer chief, Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.
  • David Mueller, vice president, Transurban.

“Enhancing our joint EMS Bike Team in Fairfax County and the Town of Vienna is a valuable investment for the safety of our residents,” said Sharon Bulova, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. “Thank you to Transurban, and congratulations to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department!”

To qualify for the grant, applicants had to be a nonprofit organization located in the Northern Virginia region whose program benefits the greater community in one of the following categories:

  • Environment — Projects that enhance or protect the environment within the region.
  • Community — Projects that support the health, economic development or well-being of communities within the region.
  • Safety — Projects that support safety initiatives within the region.

“The increasing population, community expansion and numerous mass gatherings throughout Fairfax County bring challenges such as vehicle access limitations that can lead to delayed arrival at a patient’s side,” said Deputy Chief Jason Jenkins, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. “The Transurban partnership is an achievement for Fairfax County first responders and the community we serve, allowing us to provide a rapid response capability during events with large crowds and in densely populated areas.”

Grant funds will be used to strengthen the EMS Bike Team program via additional deployment capacity. This will result in the ability to expand EMS services at community events and on the trails in the county. A greater presence at community events and on trails will decrease the time it takes to reach a patient’s side for medical events occurring within limited-access areas. This will also give the team resources to provide additional patrols and support multiple events simultaneously.

“This grant allows the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Vienna Volunteer Fire Department and other volunteer fire departments within Fairfax County to expand our ability to adapt to the constantly changing transportation challenges of Fairfax County,” said Volunteer Chief John Morrison, Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.

In addition to this one-time grant opportunity, Transurban operates two quarterly grant programs: the Express Lanes Community Grant Program and the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program. Transurban has awarded more than $786,000 to more than 182 Northern Virginia organizations through its grant programs.

For more information on each program, please visit https://www.expresslanes.com/grant-program and https://www.395expresslanes.com/grant-program.

About the Express Lanes

The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on I-495 and I-95, providing drivers with faster and more predictable travel options in Northern Virginia. Together, the 495 and 95 Express Lanes create a region-wide network of free-flowing lanes for over 40 miles from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County. Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of Northern Virginia’s most congested roadways. For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.

About Transurban

For over 20 years, Transurban has improved the quality of life for its customers by providing innovative solutions for their transportation needs. Transurban is a pioneer of the public-private partnership (P3) managed lanes concept in the United States. The North American business was among the first to implement major transportation infrastructures in the Virginia region. Our Express Lanes network features industry-leading tolling and traffic management systems on more than 40 miles of managed lanes across the 495 and 95 Express Lanes. Transurban was one of the first to use a number of innovative financing and technology strategies in the development of major toll road projects.

About the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department

The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department is a community-focused nonprofit volunteer organization. Its sole purpose is to protect and preserve the lives and property of the citizens of the Town of Vienna and Fairfax County in the event of fire, medical and other emergencies.

About the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is dedicated to being a premier community-focused fire and rescue department, thereby ensuring a safe environment for everyone. It also provides the highest-quality services to protect the lives, property and environment of the Northern Virginia community.

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Update: 95 Express Lanes Offer Travel Tips for Memorial Day Weekend and Launch Summer Reversal Schedule

May 21, 2018

Update: The reversal schedule in this press release was updated on 8/6/2018 to reflect the change to the summer reversal schedule for the 95 Express Lanes.

Tysons, Va. – D.C. area drivers should expect heavy traffic on the 95 Express Lanes later this week, according to Transurban, operator of the 495 and 95 Express Lanes, as travelers take to the road for the Memorial Day holiday.  As summer winds down, there will be changes to the I-95 corridor: Beginning Monday, August 6, the 95 Express Lanes and I-395 HOV lanes will start the weekday reversal at 10:30 a.m. instead of 10 a.m.

The early reversal will allow southbound drivers to enter the 95 Express Lanes around noon, relieving congestion on the regular lanes which starts to build earlier in the day during the summer months.  Overnight weekday reversals will continue to take place from about midnight to 2 a.m.  The schedule will be in place throughout the summer.

What to expect on the Lanes and when to travel

To avoid crowded Express Lanes, and the resulting higher tolls, drivers should avoid travel on Thursday or Friday afternoon and evening.

  • Beginning the early afternoon of Thursday, May 24, through the evening of Friday, May 25, drivers traveling along the 95 Express Lanes corridor should expect heavy traffic and increased demand requiring higher toll prices to best manage the traffic on the Lanes.
  • The busiest travel times on the regular I-95 lanes and the 95 Express Lanes before Memorial Day weekend in 2017 were Thursday and Friday between noon and 6 p.m.  Delays were worse on Friday.  Those periods are expected to again face the heaviest travel this year.

95 Express Lanes Memorial Day weekend reversal schedule:

  • Thursday, May 24: Southbound reversal begins one hour earlier at 10 a.m. due to anticipated traffic
  • Friday, May 25: Southbound reversal begins one hour earlier at 10 a.m. as summer reversal schedule goes into effect
  • Saturday, May 26: Normal weekend reversal – Lanes reverse to northbound at 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 27: Northbound Lanes will close around 5 a.m. to support Rolling Thunder.  The Lanes will re-open around 9 a.m.
  • Monday, May 28: Express Lanes northbound all day
  • Tuesday, May 29: Southbound reversal begins around 10 a.m. with Lanes opening by about noon

Remember these tips when traveling on the 95 Express Lanes:

  • A southbound extension of the 95 Express Lanes opened in late-2017. The Lanes now span to just north of Courthouse Road in Stafford County.  Drivers can use the extension at no extra cost
  • Travel advisory signs in the southern part of the Express Lanes will provide drivers with information about any congestion on the Express Lanes
  • Express Assist crews will be available to help drivers who run into issues on the Lanes
  • Riding with family or friends?  If you have at least three total people in your car, don’t forget to put your E-ZPass® FlexSM in HOV mode for a toll-free trip

Stay up to date:

About the Express Lanes

The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on I-495/Capital Beltway and I-95 to provide drivers with faster and more predictable travel options in Northern Virginia.  Together the 495 and 95 Express Lanes create a region-wide network of free-flowing lanes for more than 40 miles from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County.  Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of northern Virginia’s most congested roadways.  For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.

 

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"Toll Roads in Virginia" Web Page Launches to Help Drivers

May 17, 2018

There are many different toll roads, bridges, and tunnels in Virginia that are operated by various organizations. The Toll Roads in Virginia website is a resource from the Virginia Department of Transportation that has basic information to help you understand and navigate all those different toll roads. The website is great help if you’re doing research for an upcoming trip or if you need to pay a toll invoice. A recently added feature is “Pay a Missed Toll” where you can pay if you accidentally missed a toll while driving. Check out everything you need to know about the toll road in Virginia at https://www.tollroadsinvirginia.com/

First Baseman Ryan Zimmerman, Express Lanes and Youth Driving Advocates Reignite Regional Road Safety Campaign

May 10, 2017

Tysons, Va. – Transurban, together with regional transportation partners, launched the Phones Downcampaign last November to address distracted driving in the Greater Washington area.  To continue the conversation about distracted driving, Transurban is partnering with professional first baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the next phase of the Phones Down campaign:  Phones Down. Home Run.  The campaign aims to reach young regional drivers and reinforce the risks of driving distracted before teen drivers take to the road for summer break.  

“No text is worth risking your safety,” said first baseman Ryan Zimmerman. “I am proud to be the face of ‘Phones Down. Home Run. and encourage our region’s young drivers to take the pledge against distracted driving together with Transurban.”

“Transurban serves millions of drivers in the Washington D.C. region and safety is at the forefront of everything we do,” said Jennifer Aument, group general manager, Transurban, operator of the Express Lanes.  “We are excited to partner with Ryan Zimmerman to increase awareness about the risks of driving distracted during Global Youth Traffic Safety Month.”  

Global Youth Traffic Safety Month is an annual campaign held each May, which encourages youth organizations to engage in traffic safety projects in their local communities. Each day in the United States more than eight people are killed and 1,161 are injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. Nearly 60 percent of teen crashes involved distractions behind the wheel.

“Distracted driving is one of the top safety issues on Virginia roads,” said Larry Cloyed, Express Lanes Manager, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). “VDOT is proud to partner on the Phones Down. Home Run. campaign to encourage young drivers to take the pledge to drive distraction-free.”

“Trauma is the third leading cause of death in the United States – and the most preventable.  I am proud to be a part of the Phones Down. Home Run campaign to educate teen drivers and help prevent the tragedies that result from distracted driving,” said Linda Watkins, injury prevention and outreach coordinator, Inova Trauma Services.  “There is nothing more important than the safety of these young drivers.”

The Campaign

The Phones Down. Home Run. campaign, sponsored by Transurban, will deliver an anti-distracted driving message from Ryan Zimmerman to more than 1 million local young drivers and their parents by using online advertising, social media promotion and the voices of local parenting bloggers to spread safe driving reminders that feature Zimmerman.  Drivers are encouraged to visit PhonesDownHomeRun.com to take a safe-driving pledge and receive access to shareable graphic content featuring Zimmerman.

“With summer around the corner, it is so important that teens hear this anti-distracted driving message,” said Richard Shahan, project manager, Partners for Safe Teen Driving.  “Our mission is to enable communities to give parents the information and tools they need to help their teens become safe drivers.  We are excited to be a part of this safe driving campaign and encourage all young motorists to take the pledge not to drive distracted.”

About the Express Lanes

The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on the Capital Beltway and I-95 to provide drivers with faster and more predictable travel options in Northern Virginia. Together the 495 and 95 Express Lanes create a region-wide network of free-flowing lanes for more than 40 miles from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County.  Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of northern Virginia’s most congested roadways.  For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.

About Transurban

Transurban manages and develops urban toll road networks in the United States and Australia.  We partner with governments to meet the long-term transportation needs of communities — developing sustainable, safe, innovative and efficient projects.  Transurban operates the 495 and 95 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia.  For more information, please visit transurban.com.  

 

 

 

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