495 Express Lanes Toll-Free April 6 and 7
April 1, 2013
Alexandria, Va. – 495 Express Lanes today announced that all drivers can travel for free on the Express Lanes from April 6 to 7. The free weekend provides drivers with an opportunity to experience travel in the Express Lanes toll-free with or without an E-ZPass®.
The free weekend program is part of an educational campaign to encourage Beltway drivers to try the new travel option on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway to see how they could benefit from the Express Lanes. The 495 Express Lanes provide new options for a faster, more predictable trip on the Capital Beltway and give drivers more control over how and when they get to their destination.
Details of the free travel weekend:
- Free 495 Express Lanes travel is only available on April 6 and 7 from 12:01 a.m. on April 6 to 11:59 p.m. on April 7.
- E-ZPass not required.
- E-ZPass in vehicles will not be charged a toll.
- Two-axle vehicles only. Vehicles with three or more axles, including cars towing trailers, are prohibited.
As always, drivers are encouraged to please be alert and careful on the road – avoid distractions and drive safely.
“Regular Express Lanes users are spending less time in traffic and have noted that it is much easier to get to destinations in Merrifield and Tysons Corner as a result of the new Express Lanes exits,” said Pierce Coffee, director of marketing, Transurban, operator of the 495 Express Lanes. “This free weekend is a great opportunity for area drivers to do a test run of their commute to the office or try the new exits in Merrifield at Route 29 and in Tysons at Westpark Drive and Jones Branch Drive. If you haven’t tried the Express Lanes, now is your chance to practice using the Express Lanes so you can take advantage of a faster, more predictable trip.”
In addition to offering a free weekend of travel, the 495 Express Lanes will also temporarily lift the E-ZPass requirement on April 6 and 7 only. All drivers are required to travel with an E-ZPass at all other times with carpoolers needing an E-ZPass® FlexSM. Drivers can get an E-ZPass online at the E-ZPass website – www.ezpassva.com. E-ZPass is also available at retail locations including AAA Mid-Atlantic stores, select Wegmans and Giant stores in Northern Virginia, E-ZPass Customer Service Centers and the Tysons Corner DMV. Find out where you can get an E-ZPass here: www.495ExpressLanes.com/using-ezpass.
Before using the Express Lanes, drivers are encouraged to find out how to enter and exit the lanes. The 495 Express Lanes website – www.495ExpressLanes.com – features tools to help drivers prepare for their first trip in the Express Lanes. On the site, drivers can plan their trip or watch detailed videos demonstrating how to get on and off the Express Lanes.
About 495 Express Lanes
The 495 Express Lanes are high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes that operate on the I-495/Capital Beltway to provide drivers faster and more predictable travel options on I-495. The two new HOT lanes in each direction on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway are from the Springfield Interchange to just north of the Dulles Toll Road (approximately 14 miles). Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban-Fluor, the Express Lanes give drivers more freedom to control how and when they arrive at their destination. For more information, please visit 495ExpressLanes.com, and for rules of the road, visit 495ExpressLanes.com\termsandconditions.
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Transportation Association of Greater Springfield – Improving Local Travel Options
February 20, 2013
About the Transportation Association of Greater Springfield
Residents, business-owners and employees who work or travel in Springfield, Virginia are no strangers to traffic woes. The community is home to the Springfield Interchange, the junction where Interstates 95, 395 and 495 meet and mix in a maze of flyovers, bridges and ramps. Until an eight-year construction project rebuilt the interchange, the 400,000 drivers who traveled it daily endured risky merge areas and terrible traffic delays. Today, drivers enjoy the improved interchange, which was completed in 2007. But in neighborhood streets, transportation challenges persist.
Citizens and employees in Springfield can turn to a local non-profit for help. The Transportation Association of Greater Springfield (TAGS) was created in 1999 to educate the community about and advocate for creative commuting options in the Springfield region. The organization, a public-private transportation management association, is dedicated to improving the local transportation system.
To support its efforts, TAGS works closely with Fairfax County and Metro to market transit services and alternative commute options to local residents and businesses. Together, they help to fund a flexible, inexpensive shuttle bus service, owned and operated by Metro, that runs to major commercial districts, transportation hubs and retail areas throughout the area. They also regularly host programs to educate the community on transportation-related issues.
TAGS started the Friends of TAGS program in 2011 to strengthen relationships with local businesses and those who ride the group’s shuttle. The program bolsters grassroots support and encourages residents to stay informed of key transportation issues.
495 Express Lanes Community Grant Support
The TAGS organization is funded both by public and private funds, both of which have become tougher to obtain during the economic recovery. Given the success of the first Friends of TAGS event in 2011, the group wanted to connect with their constituents again in 2012. A community grant from Transurban-Fluor helped TAGS fund both the first and second Friends of TAGS events.
At the event, volunteers staffed tables adjacent to shuttle stops, giving TAGS representatives an opportunity to thank riders for their patronage and to receive feedback. As riders exited the shuttles, the volunteers passed out information, gave away drinks, snacks, t-shirts and other freebies and answered questions.
“We really appreciate the ongoing community support from Transurban-Fluor,” said Friends of TAGS administrator Joan Clark, “It is critical for our continuing efforts to bring information and service to the Greater Springfield community.”
The Express Lanes team supported the event because of the similar mission between the two organizations.
“Both TAGS and Transurban-Fluor work to introduce new transportation options for northern Virginians and we appreciate the work that TAGS does to improve travel in the Springfield region,” said Kevin Ginnerty, director of project delivery at Transurban. “We are proud to support TAGS and their efforts to advocate for improvements on behalf of local residents and businesses.”
The Friends of TAGS program received positive feedback from the community. “Lots of people appreciated that we were out there. Look for the next Friends of TAGS event coming up soon,” commented Joan Clark.
More Information
For additional information about TAGS and ways to get around in the Springfield region, visit www.tagsva.org.
To stay informed about the latest regional transportation developments, please “like” their Facebook page
For additional questions, email tags@tagsva.org
495 Express Lanes: Drivers Share First Impressions
February 20, 2013
Since the 495 Express Lanes opened on November 17, 2012, they have provided Northern Virginia drivers with a faster, more predictable trip. In December 2012 and January 2013, the Express Lanes team conducted an independent research study of 1,760 frequent Capital Beltway drivers in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. The research reveals drivers’ overall impressions, experiences and opinions of traveling on the Beltway and the 495 Express Lanes in its first two months of operations.
The survey found:
Traffic congestion is area residents’ biggest concern:
- 64 percent of frequent Beltway drivers cite traffic congestion as the biggest problem they face living in the Greater Washington, D.C. area
- Traffic congestion is a bigger concern than the economy (11 percent), the housing market (7 percent) and unemployment (4 percent)
Top reasons travelers had used the Express Lanes*:
- “Needed” to reach a destination on time (71 percent)
- Mainline Beltway congestion (45 percent)
- Interest in a reliable trip (22 percent)
- Interest in getting on or off the Express Lanes at one of the new entry/exit points in Tysons or Merrifield (16 percent)
*Respondents asked to select all that apply
All drivers must have an E-ZPass® or E-ZPass® FlexSM to use the Express Lanes, but some drivers are missing out on a faster, more predictable commute:
- 46 percent of frequent Beltway travelers said they still do not have an E-ZPass
Express Lanes users give the new travel option high marks:
- 75 percent of travelers who have tried the Express Lanes said they are likely to use them again
- Nearly 7 in 10 Express Lanes users would recommend the Express Lanes to their friends, family and colleagues
While the majority of drivers who have used the Express Lanes are likely to use them again, there are some barriers to first-time use:
- 41 percent of drivers who have not taken the lanes say being unclear about getting on the Express Lanes plays a role in why they haven’t tried the lanes
- 46 percent of drivers who have not taken the lanes say being unclear about getting off the Express Lanes plays a role in why they haven’t tried the lanes
Express Lanes users save time:
- 82 percent of Express Lanes users estimated a real time savings on their trip
495 Express Lanes Employer Toolkit
February 19, 2013
The 495 Express Lanes provide a faster, more predictable option on the Capital Beltway. For commuters who travel on the Beltway in Virginia, this means spending less time in the car and fewer traffic headaches. Use our Employer Toolkit to help your employees and colleagues learn how the Express Lanes can make their commute faster, more reliable and help them get to meetings throughout the workday.
The free Toolkit provides you with the tools you need to ensure your employees are educated and equipped to take advantage of the Express Lanes.
On the Toolkit site, you will find valuable information about the Express Lanes to share with your employees, including:
- Intranet copy explaining how the Express Lanes work and how employees can get more information about the Express Lanes
- Materials to share with employees such as maps, fact sheets and brochures
- Detailed information about Express Lanes bus routes
The 495 Express Lanes can change how your employees and colleagues travel on the Capital Beltway. Start educating your employees about the 495 Express Lanes today.
495 Express Lanes: Project Snapshot
December 4, 2012
The 495 Express Lanes are providing new transportation choices for Northern Virginia. At the November 13 ribbon cutting event, we displayed project boards – with images and interesting facts – to highlight these key elements of the project:
Partnership
Safety
Construction
Community
Check out the boards now to learn more about the work that brought a faster, more predictable trip to the Capital Beltway in Northern Virginia.
495 Express Lanes Reinforces E-ZPass® Requirements, Rules of the Road
November 28, 2012
Alexandria, Va. – After one full week of operations, the 495 Express Lanes operator is reiterating key reminders essential to a smooth trip on the 14-mile stretch of new high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway.
The 495 Express Lanes opened one month early on November 17 and operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While the 495 Express Lanes are easy to use, it is important that all drivers know the rules of the road before taking their first trip:
- The Express Lanes have limited access points. All drivers should visit 495ExpressLanes.com to learn where they can get on and off the Express Lanes.
- The Express Lanes include new access points and traffic patterns. Drivers should make sure they know where they can get on and off the Express Lanes to take advantage of the quickest route.
- Stay alert as the Express Lanes have introduced new traffic patterns. Be safe and do not stop or reverse on the lanes.
All drivers must have an E-ZPass to use the Express Lanes – there are no toll booths or options to pay cash. Carpools with three or more people in the vehicle need an E-ZPass® FlexSM set to HOV mode to ensure a toll-free trip on the Express Lanes. Before traveling on the Express Lanes, drivers should keep these important E-ZPass requirements in mind:
- Properly mount the E-ZPass to the vehicle’s windshield. If the E-ZPass is not mounted and the driver waves it or holds it up to the windshield when traveling under the toll gantries, they could be charged twice for their trip.
- Travel with only one E-ZPass at a time in the vehicle. Drivers that travel with two E-ZPass tags in the vehicle could be charged twice.
- Select the travel mode on an E-ZPass Flex before you get in the Express Lanes.
- Ensure that all E-ZPass account information is up-to-date, including credit card information and license plate numbers. Drivers can do this online at the Virginia or Maryland E-ZPass websites.
- Drivers that accidentally travel on the Express Lanes without an E-ZPass can pay their toll on the Missed a Toll page on the Express Lanes website. There is a $1.50 per trip administrative fee. Drivers should never reverse on the lanes to avoid toll payment
- If the 495 Express Lanes has to send a driver an unpaid toll invoice, the administrative fee goes up to $12.50 per trip. If the first invoice is not paid then that fee escalates to $25.00 per trip. Ignoring multiple toll invoices will result in debt collection and could ultimately end up in the court system.
“We need all drivers – even those who don’t plan to use the lanes regularly – to remain alert and be aware of their surroundings when driving the Express Lanes corridor,” said Tim Steinhilber, Transurban’s general manager for the 495 Express Lanes Project. “We want all drivers to have a smooth, predictable commute on the Express Lanes so we need drivers to be aware of the rules of the road and to make sure they are using their E-ZPass correctly.”
18-wheelers and vehicles with three or more axles (including trailers) are prohibited on the Express Lanes. If vehicles with three or more axles enter the Express Lanes, they could be ticketed by the Virginia State Police.
Drivers with questions about the Express Lanes or concerns with billing may contact customercare@expresslanes.com or visit the Customer Care section on the 495 Express Lanes website.
About 495 Express Lanes
The 495 Express Lanes are new high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes that operate on the I-495/Capital Beltway to provide drivers faster and more predictable travel options on I-495. The two new HOT lanes in each direction on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway are from the Springfield Interchange to just north of the Dulles Toll Road (approximately 14 miles). Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban-Fluor, the Express Lanes give drivers more freedom to control how and when they arrive at their destination. For more information, please visit 495ExpressLanes.com.
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Santa Takes the 495 Express Lanes to his Workshop
November 16, 2012
Everyone in Northern Virginia can benefit from a faster, more predictable trip on the Capital Beltway – including Santa Claus, one of the first to take the 495 Express Lanes.
On Friday, November 16, the day before the 495 Express Lanes opened to the public, Santa took an inaugural ride from Braddock Road to the new Express Lanes exit at Westpark Drive to get directly to his winter wonderland house inside Tysons Corner Center. Santa took the 495 Express Lanes to make sure he arrived at his first day of work on time.
"It was a smooth ride – wonderful," said Santa, when he arrived at the Westpark Bridge ramp near the Tysons Corner Center. "It didn't take but 10 minutes... Almost as good as a sleigh."
In place of his reindeer, Santa got a lift on the lanes in a model 2.5 Tesla Roadster convertible.
Check out photo of Santa on the new Express Lanes.
495 Express Lanes Now Open
November 19, 2012
Alexandria, Va. – 495 Express Lanes today announced that the 14-mile stretch of new high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway opened early and on budget on November 17. Drivers planning to take advantage of the new travel option are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new aspects of the road and obtain an E-ZPass® before they take their first trips. All drivers are urged to use caution and be alert to changing traffic patterns, signage and new traffic signals.
“Beltway drivers were already out there this weekend trying out faster and more direct trips on the new Express Lanes,” said Tim Steinhilber, Transurban’s general manager for the 495 Express Lanes Project. “Traveling on the Express Lanes is easy, but there are new ramps, signage, signals and traffic patterns that drivers should prepare for to ensure a safe trip. We encourage all travelers to visit www.495ExpressLanes.com to plan their trip and learn the rules of the road. It’s also more important than ever to stay alert and avoid distracted driving.”
The 495 Express Lanes have resources available to help drivers get ready for the new traffic solution. Before using the Express Lanes, drivers should:
- Learn how to safely use the lanes: The Express Lanes will be easy to use and get drivers where they need to go. However, there are some new aspects of the road that are worth learning about. To learn how to safely use the lanes, drivers should visit www.495expresslanes.com/staying-safe
- Get an E-ZPass: All drivers will need an E-ZPass or E-ZPass® FlexSM to use the 495 Express Lanes. To learn more about E-ZPass options and find out how to get an E-ZPass, please visit: www.495expresslanes.com/using-ezpass
- Plan their trip: The 495 Express Lanes will include three new Beltway entry and exit points, meaning a more direct route to popular locations in Tysons Corner and Merrifield. The Express Lanes are a limited access highway so drivers should plan their new route and learn how to access and exit the Express Lanes now on the 495 Express Lanes website: www.495expresslanes.com/using-the-lanes
- Get answers to questions: For more information on tolling and operations, drivers should visit the 495 Express Lanes FAQs web page – www.495expresslanes.com/faqs
The Express Lanes project includes new traffic signals at most access points – including new access points at Jones Branch Drive, Westpark Drive and Route 29/Lee Highway. Travelers are encouraged to stay alert and use caution on the secondary roads and highways around Express Lanes access points, which also include the Dulles Toll Road, Route 7, I-66, Gallows Road and Braddock Road.
The 495 Express Lanes are the first road of its kind in the region to provide HOV service on the Capital Beltway – as well as the option for travelers to pay a toll for a faster and more predictable trip. All drivers must have an E-ZPass to use the Express Lanes – there are no toll booths or options to pay cash. Carpools with three or more people in the vehicle will need an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode to ensure a toll-free trip on the Express Lanes. Drivers should ensure that they travel with only one E-ZPass per vehicle and that the E-ZPass device is properly mounted.
The 495 Express Lanes will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The lanes will use dynamic pricing to keep traffic free flowing and provide a more predictable travel option on the Beltway. Dynamic pricing based on real-time traffic conditions manages the demand for the lanes, keeping the Express Lanes moving. Drivers will lock in their rate when they enter the lanes.
About 495 Express Lanes
The 495 Express Lanes are new high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes that operate on the I-495/Capital Beltway to provide drivers faster and more predictable travel options on I-495. The two new HOT lanes in each direction on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway are from the Springfield Interchange to just north of the Dulles Toll Road (approximately 14 miles). Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban-Fluor, the Express Lanes give drivers more freedom to control how and when they arrive at their destination. For more information, please visit 495ExpressLanes.com.
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495 Express Lanes Reminds Drivers to Remain Cautious
November 19, 2012
Alexandria, Va. – After the first weekday commute on the new roadway, 495 Express Lanes are reminding drivers to remain alert and to exercise caution when driving in and around the Express Lanes corridor. Drivers planning to take advantage of the new travel option are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new aspects of the road and obtain an E-ZPass® before they take their first trips. All drivers are urged to use caution and be alert to changing traffic patterns, signage and new traffic signals.
- Added additional colored reflectors to the channelizing posts (white barriers)
- Changed digital messages on electronic signs to read: “new traffic pattern” and “use caution” and “two left lanes express lanes only”
- Extend merge area and alert drivers sooner to the Express Lanes entrance:
- Heading north from Springfield Interchange, begin transitional striping (dotted line) in the area where the Springfield Interchange ramps meet the Beltway – this is nearly one mile south of current Express Lanes entrance; this striping more clearly indicates to drivers that the two left lanes will soon turn into Express Lanes
- Heading north from Springfield Interchange, begin solid line warning drivers not to merge lanes approximately 700 feet sooner (further south) than where the solid line begins today
- Add new pavement markings saying “E-ZPass” approximately one mile and “E-ZPass Only” one half mile before Express Lanes entrance
- Further enhance channelizing posts in the area of the entrance
495 Express Lanes to Open Tomorrow
November 16, 2012
Alexandria, Va. – 495 Express Lanes today announced that the 14-mile corridor of new high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes from the Springfield Interchange to just north of the Dulles Toll Road on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway will open tomorrow, November 17, at approximately 2 a.m. The nearly $2 billion, 14-mile project is opening early and on-budget.
The 495 Express Lanes will provide drivers, carpoolers and bus riders with a new transportation option to navigate the heavily congested Northern Virginia area. Tonight, 495 Express Lanes crews will unveil new Express Lanes road signage, turn on the traffic management system, unveil new traffic signals and open all Express Lanes ramps.
“The opening of the 495 Express Lanes will fundamentally change travel in Northern Virginia and provide travelers with more transportation options,” said Tim Steinhilber, Transurban’s general manager for the 495 Express Lanes Project. “We are not just opening a road – we are providing an opportunity for consistent congestion relief on one of Virginia's busiest roadways. We are excited to open the 495 Express Lanes ahead of schedule so drivers can start seeing the benefits of a faster, more predictable commute.”
The opening of the Express Lanes will bring new traffic movements, ramps and arterial traffic signals along the project corridor. The project includes new traffic signals at most access points – including new access points at Jones Branch Drive, Westpark Drive and Route 29/Lee Highway. Travelers are encouraged to stay alert on the secondary roads and highways around Express Lanes access points, which also include the Dulles Toll Road, Route 7, I-66, Gallows Road and Braddock Road.
All drivers must have an E-ZPass® to use the Express Lanes – there are no toll booths or options to pay cash. Carpools with three or more people in the vehicle will need an E-ZPass® FlexSM set to HOV mode to ensure a toll-free trip on the Express Lanes.
The 495 Express Lanes will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The lanes will use dynamic pricing to keep traffic free flowing and provide a more predictable travel option on the Beltway. Dynamic pricing based on real-time traffic conditions manages the demand for the lanes, keeping the Express Lanes moving. Drivers will lock in their rate when they enter the lanes.
The 495 Express Lanes are opening after four years of construction which required 350 overnight closures of I-495 and more than 8.5 million work hours as of September 2012. Construction on the 495 Express Lanes supported more than 16,000 jobs in Virginia and generated nearly $3.5 billion of economic impact statewide. Key infrastructure highlights of the project include:
- Replacement of more than $260 million of aging infrastructure
- 58 new bridges and overpasses, including bicycle and pedestrian access across every new bridge
- 12 key interchanges rebuilt or upgraded
- New access points at Route 29/Lee Highway, Jones Branch Drive and Westpark Drive; providing increased access to Tysons Corner and Merrifield
- Replacement of existing sound walls and construction of 80,000 linear feet of new sound walls to double existing noise reduction tools for surrounding neighborhoods
- New connectivity for buses and improved transportation service to Virginia’s largest employment centers and retail destinations
The 495 Express Lanes are the product of a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and Transurban-Fluor. The $2 billion project was made possible by an innovative financing strategy that incorporated public funding, federal financing tools and private investment. Fluor, an experienced infrastructure developer, partnered with Lane Construction to design and build the 495 Express Lanes. Transurban, an experienced toll road operator, will operate the lanes through a concession agreement with VDOT. VDOT will continue to own and oversee the road.
Key statistics regarding 495 Express Lanes road usage will be released quarterly.
About 495 Express Lanes
The 495 Express Lanes are new high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes that will operate on the I-495/Capital Beltway to provide drivers faster and more predictable travel options on I-495. The two new HOT lanes in each direction on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway are from the Springfield Interchange to just north of the Dulles Toll Road (approximately 14 miles). Being delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban-Fluor, the Express Lanes will give drivers the freedom to control how and when they arrive at their destination. For more information, please visit 495ExpressLanes.com.
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