December 8, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 08, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT
Tanya Sheres
571-335-3511
tsheres@transurban.com
ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Transurban, one of the world’s largest toll-road operators and developers of the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes, donated to Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) and the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial today, following a “Drive to Donate” event on November 17.
Pledging to give $2 for the more than 30,000 trips during the event, Transurban added $37,500 for a total contribution of $100,000. The contribution, made on behalf of Transurban and its customers, was divided equally between the organizations.
“We pride ourselves on being a good neighbor and long-term partner to communities in the Greater Washington Area,” said Pierce Coffee, president of Transurban North America. “NVFS and the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial are two organizations working to advance critical community needs while preserving and honoring the unique history of Northern Virginia. Together with our customers, we are pleased to offer funds that help continue their efforts and our commitment as a company to giving back.”
The event, Coffee added, was designed to coincide with the second anniversary of the opening of the 395 Express Lanes and continue Transurban’s work of investing in the communities it operates in. Such work includes a decade-long community grant and sponsorship program that has supported over 300 regional organizations.
“When we reflect on the past two years and ways the 395 Express Lanes have delivered on improvements for the Greater Washington Area, we count organizations supported and local partners engaged at the top of Transurban’s list of successes – on par with operational achievements such as over 1.4 million hours in travel saved, 8,700 jobs created regionally, and $1 billion in economic activity generated,” said Amanda Baxter, vice president of operations for Transurban North America. “Our ongoing work with local organizations, including NVFS and the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, is a critical part of who we are and what we do.”
NVFS, a longtime Transurban partner, helps families and individuals in need create stability with a wide range of critical services. Each year, it empowers over 35,000 Northern Virginians to achieve self-sufficiency.
“We’re grateful for the support provided by those drivers who started their morning on the 395 Express Lanes on November 17 and to Transurban for their continued partnership,” said Stephanie Berkowitz, president and CEO at NVFS. “This donation will support programs that provide the essential building blocks for financial, emotional and physical well-being for individuals and families to improve their quality of life.”
The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial was created to preserve the memories of those lost and the day’s tremendous significance on our nation’s history.
“As neighbors to the 395 Express Lanes, we share a common commitment with Transurban and the Express Lanes team to preserve the unique history of this corridor and invest in its future vitality,” said Jim Laychak, executive director of the Pentagon Memorial Fund, Inc. “We are honored to be recipients of the ‘Drive to Donate’ event. This donation, along with the previous donation, will go toward the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center to ensure there is always a place for future generations to learn what happened and never forget the events at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.”
To commemorate the opening of the 395 Express Lanes in 2019, Transurban chose to honor the legacy of September 11 heroes by donating $1 million to the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. Its partnership with NVFS also goes back years and includes prior donations of $60,000 toward COVID-19 relief and other recovery programs.
To learn more about Transurban or the 395 Express Lanes, visit www.expresslanes.com.
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About Transurban North America
Transurban is one of the world’s largest toll-road operators and developers, working to get people where they want to go, as quickly and safely as possible. By embracing collaboration with government, our public-private partnerships are delivering transformative infrastructure solutions across five markets. In fiscal year 2021, our global customers saved 376,000 hours on average each workday across 2 million trips on our roads with faster, more predictable travel options. With a leading market share of transportation P3 investment in North America, we are pioneering travel solutions like dynamically tolled Express Lanes and are partnering with government to think about the policies, technology and infrastructure that will get you home today and ten years from now. Learn more about Transurban North America at: Transurban.com | Expresslanes.com | A25.com
About the Express Lanes operated by Transurban
The 395, 95 and 495 Express Lanes provide drivers in Northern Virginia with faster and more predictable travel options. The Express Lanes stretch more than 53 miles through northern Virginia. Thanks to a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on the region’s most congested roadways. For more information, head to ExpressLanes.com.
November 10, 2021
The Express Lanes invites drivers to drive on the 395 Express Lanes to join a “Drive to Donate” event on November 17. The event marks two years since the opening of the 395 Express Lanes and continues our commitment to partnering with the community and supporting organizations that create positive and lasting change.
WHAT: A “Drive to Donate” event supporting two integral organizations, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial and Northern Virginia Family Service. For every trip taken on the 395 Express Lanes, $2 will be donated to local nonprofits.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 17, midnight to midnight
WHERE: On the 395 Express Lanes
HOW: To participate, all drivers need to do is take the 395 Express Lanes as they normally do, using an E-ZPass® properly mounted in their vehicle or use a mobile tolling app like GoToll.
WHY: We are dedicated to the long-term success of the Greater Washington Area. This event is an opportunity to give back to organizations that work tirelessly in the community and with whom the Express Lanes has partnered with before, as part of its decade-long community grants and sponsorship program.
Since 2019, the 395 Express Lanes have delivered on the promise of improved travel choices, picking up where the 95 Express Lanes leave off and giving drivers a seamless trip to the D.C. line. The 395 Express Lanes have served over 1.1 million customers since opening, saving them a total of approximately 1.4 million hours.
We hope to see you on the Lanes on November 17.
April 21, 2021
Driving out racism is something that can only be achieved if everyone plays their part.
At Transurban, the operator of the 495, 95, and 395 Express Lanes, we believe that transportation has the power to bring communities together, to connect people, and to provide opportunities.
We are taking this moment to reinforce to all of our employees, partners, and customers that we denounce all forms of racism. We celebrate the diversity of our team and community, and continue to challenge ourselves to do more to propel a culture of inclusion and respect at our company, in our communities and within the transportation industry.
Success can only be achieved when people of color face no barriers and have equal opportunity to thrive and prosper.
The passion and bravery of people speaking out for justice, and striving to repair the fabric of this nation by shaping a culture of equality, deserve to be matched in ambition at every company and across every sector.
We will work every day to make that true. We are with you on the road ahead to drive out racism.
- Pierce Coffee, President, Transurban North America
October 8, 2020
Project NEXT is a 2 mile extension of the 495 Express Lanes in Fairfax County, Virginia. The Project will extend along I-495 from the current northern end of the 495 Express Lanes near near Old Dominion Drive (Route 738) to near the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Transurban will be conducting a two-stage procurement for a fixed price design-build contract. Go here to learn more about the project.
The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process concluded on April 27, 2020, with the shortlisted bidders being selected and notified. Go here to view the firms selected.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) was released on October 8, 2020 to the shortlisted bidders.
Point of Contact
For questions about the Project design-build procurement, please contact the Procurement team at NEXTProcurement@transurban.com.
June 11, 2020
Black Lives Matter.
Driving out racism is something that can only be achieved if everyone plays their part.
The power of transportation to bring communities together, to connect people, and to provide opportunities is something Transurban, the Express Lanes’ operator, strongly believes in. That has never felt more important than it does today.
We are taking this moment to reinforce to all of our employees, partners, and customers that Black Lives Matter. We denounce all forms of racism, celebrate the diversity of our team and community, and challenge ourselves to do more to propel a culture of inclusion and respect at our company, in our communities and within the transportation industry.
Success can only be achieved when people of color face no barriers and have equal opportunity to thrive and prosper.
The passion of people protesting in communities across this country deserves to be matched by an ambition at every company and every sector to achieve racial equality.
We will work every day to make that true. We are with you on the road ahead to drive out racism.
-Jennifer Aument, President, Transurban North America
November 25, 2019
Before drivers hit the road this Thanksgiving, the Express Lanes team recommends planning ahead to avoid traffic and delays.
Traffic on I-95 is expected to surge on Tuesday, November 26 and Wednesday, November 27. If last year is any indication, drivers could save more than one hour in travel time by taking the 95 and 395 Express Lanes this week. The now open 395 Express Lanes begin near the Pentagon and run 8 miles south to near Edsall Road.
What to expect and when to travel
In 2018, more than 227,000 trips were taken on the 95 Express Lanes between Tuesday, November 20 and Sunday, November 25. Drivers who took the Lanes saved an average of 32 minutes, with some saving more than one hour compared to those who took the regular lanes. In fact, drivers who traveled an hour before or after the busiest travel times saved between 20 to 25 percent off their tolls.
This year:
How to stay updated
Once drivers are on the road, pricing and traffic updates will be available on overhead signs. Updates will also be available online via Twitter(@VAExpressLanes).
As a reminder: An E-ZPass® or E-ZPass® Flex is required to use the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes. If out-of-town visitors accidently travel on the Lanes without an E-ZPass® or E-ZPass® Flex, they can head to ExpressLanes.com/pay or contact the customer service center at 1-855-497-9777.
November 14, 2019
This weekend the 395 HOV lane corridor will close so crews can complete final preparations to open the 395 Express Lanes on Sunday night.
November 4, 2019
The 395 HOV lanes are set to open as dynamically tolled express lanes on the night of Sunday, November 17, pending weather and on-road crew activities.
For final preparation, the 395 HOV lanes will close the evening of Friday, November 15. With safety as the priority, the Express Lanes team is preparing drivers for the changes.
Here’s what drivers need to know before hitting the road
Tips to stay safe on the road
E-ZPass® or E-ZPass® Flex will be required at all entry ramps to the Express Lanes
Drivers who get on the northbound 395 HOV lanes just before D.C. may be less likely to have an E-ZPass® compared to other drivers on the HOV lanes. Drivers are reminded that the ramps to the northbound Express Lanes from S. Eads Street and from the regular lanes just before the 14th Street Bridge will require an E-ZPass®.
Carpools with 3 or more people will need an E-ZPass® Flex to travel for free. The Express Lanes team is offering an option for carpoolers who don’t have an E-ZPass® Flex when the lanes open. At any point before December 1, carpoolers who don’t have an E-ZPass® can contact the Express Lanes team to register their license plate number for seven days of toll-free travel on the Lanes. The grace period is to give drivers time to order an E-ZPass® Flex online or pick one up from an area retailer.
Drivers can get an E-ZPass® by signing up online, calling 877-762-7824, or in-person from E-ZPass® Customer Service Centers or E-ZPass® On-the-Go retail locations. Still have questions? Head to the Express Lanes website for more information on E-ZPass® and E-ZPass® Flex.
Safely stay updated once the 395 Express Lanes are open
Once the Lanes are open, pricing will be available on overhead signs. Updates about any on-road issues will be shared via Twitter (@VAExpressLanes).
The Express Lanes team is ready to help. If drivers have more questions about the 395 Express Lanes, they can head on over to the 395 Express Lanes website, call at 1-855-495-9777, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m., or connect on Facebook or Twitter.
October 25, 2019
The 95 Express Lanes reversal schedule will be adjusted this weekend due to additional testing for the 395 Express Lanes which will open in November.
Due to the nature of the testing activities, the reversal schedule is subject to change and exact times are not available. Drivers should review on-road signs that indicate whether the Lanes are open or closed and should never attempt to enter the Lanes if an access point is closed.
Friday
Saturday
The 395 HOV lanes will remain closed throughout the weekend. Test messages will be visible on select dynamic message signs along the I-395 corridor.
October 24, 2019
ALEXANDRIA, VA – To ensure fairness for all drivers, the Virginia State Police (VSP); Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), operator of the 66 Express Lanes inside the Beltway; and the 495/95/395 Express Lanes team are working together to strictly enforce high occupancy vehicle (HOV) laws.
On Thursday, October 24, VSP will be coordinating an HOV enforcement blitz across northern Virginia. This means drivers can expect to see an increased police presence on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes and the 66 Express Lanes. Troopers will be on the lookout for drivers not in compliance with the HOV laws.
“Troopers are essential to keeping the busy HOV and express lanes highway corridors in northern Virginia safe and efficient,” said Captain J. P. Koushel, Virginia State Police Fairfax Division Commander. “Whether responding to incidents, stopping dangerous drivers or citing HOV violators, we patrol the roads each and every day to make sure drivers are in compliance with Virginia law.”
In addition to law enforcement on express lanes, the 495/95/395 and 66 Express Lanes teams continue to deploy the latest technology to safely identify violators and deter drivers from evading tolls (the 395 Express Lanes open in November). Most recently, a mobile beacon has been deployed on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes. This mobile tool can easily move to locations throughout the 495/95/395 Express Lanes network to alert VSP when an E-ZPass® Flex is in HOV mode. The 66 Express Lanes will be following suit soon with the same mobile technology.
“Northern Virginia has more than 80 miles of HOV and express lanes operating today that provide commuters with reliable travel options and encourage carpooling and transit use,” said VDOT Tolling Division Administrator David Caudill. “HOV cheating on these facilities is illegal and it can negatively impact the travel of motorists who follow the rules. That’s why we continuously work with partners and Virginia State Police to deter cheaters by developing new and efficient methods for stronger enforcement.”
The mobile beacon is just one of many tools express lanes operators have been leveraging to ensure fair travel on the lanes, in addition to the following:
According to studies by the 495/95/395 Express Lanes team, a majority of Express Lanes drivers support HOV enforcement.
“The rules are there and spelled out. It's a form of theft,” said a frequent Express Lanes driver as part of a focus group. The driver added, “If you just don't feel like paying the toll, you're cheating. The lanes are designed to encourage carpooling and raise money for road funding from those who choose to use the more convenient method despite lack of carpool.”
Drivers should know the laws before hitting the road.
| 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes | 66 Express Lanes Inside the Beltway | |
|---|---|---|
| HOV car occupancy requirements | 3 or more people | 2 or more people |
| HOV laws in effect | At all times. 365 days a year, 24 hours a day | Weekdays: Eastbound 5:30 to 9:30 a.m. Westbound 3 to 7 p.m. |
Express lanes can significantly reduce traffic congestion for all commuters while carpooling can help keep tolls lower and reduce harmful carbon emissions from heavy traffic flow.
However, express lanes are dynamically priced, so the more cars on the road, the higher the toll. This means that anyone who cheats by claiming to be a HOV without meeting the requirements could raise tolls for surrounding drivers who are following the laws.
Misusing E-ZPass® Flex on the express lanes is against the law. If stopped by law enforcement, a violator can be fined up to $1,000 and subject to traffic violation points added to his or her driving record.
Drivers can get an E-ZPass® Flex online by visiting www.ezpassva.com, E-ZPass “On-the-Go” retail locations, in-person from E-ZPass®/DMV Customer Service Centers or calling E-ZPass® customer service at 877-762-7824.
Head to www.ezpassva.com for information on how to use an E-ZPass® Flex.
For more information, please contact Michael McGurk at MMcGurk@transurban.com or Michelle Holland at michelle.holland@vdot.virginia.gov.