May 2, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2022
Contact:
Tanya Sheres
(571) 335-3511
tsheres@transurban.com
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Transurban, operator of the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes, today announced a revised opening date of late 2023 for the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension (Fred Ex) project, a public-private partnership between the Commonwealth of Virginia and Transurban. Transurban and Transurban’s design-build partner, a joint venture between Branch Civil and Flatiron Construction (BFJV), began construction in 2019 of the 10-mile extension that will increase capacity and improve access to growing employment centers along this heavily traveled segment of I-95.
Transurban and BFJV have been working through project challenges, including resourcing constraints and the impact of Potomac Formation soils – a geotechnical condition within the corridor that can introduce complexities in construction. Despite these challenges, the project has continued and construction is currently 60% complete. A new Truslow Road Bridge has been completed, and reconstruction of the American Legion Road overpass and several new fly-over ramps are now underway. The project continues to be financed 100% by Transurban and its partners.
“The design, construction and delivery of mega-infrastructure projects is always complex,” said Amanda Baxter, Vice President, Virginia Market & Operations for Transurban North America. “I am pleased to see the power of partnership come together to resolve challenges and find a path forward in the best interest of the Commonwealth, its travelers and communities. This project is crucial to keeping people moving along I-95 and we’re focused on delivering it as soon as possible.”
“We appreciate that the project team has arrived at an outcome that benefits the people most affected by this megaproject – the travelers on I-95,” said Marcie Parker, VDOT Fredericksburg District Engineer. “We will continue in our oversight role to ensure that the project is delivered safely, is built with quality and is completed as soon as possible.”
The project will deliver two new reversible high-occupancy toll lanes; seven new bridges; and new access points to Route 17, Old Courthouse Road, and Marine Corps Base Quantico, where more than 28,000 people work and reside. When completed, the new Express Lanes will provide 66% more capacity during peak periods and will move 30% more people and 23% more vehicles, helping reduce congestion along one of the Commonwealth’s worst “hot spots.”
Along with its travel benefits, the project is supporting Virginia’s economy and competitiveness. It is anticipated to generate $1 billion in economic activity and 9,100 jobs during construction alone. The project will connect to VDOT’s Rappahannock River Crossing project to further improve connectivity. When complete, Fred Ex will create a 49-mile system of reversible Express Lanes between Stafford County – Northern Virginia's fastest growing county – and Washington, D.C.
Transurban has a strong track record of working alongside the Commonwealth to deliver complex megaprojects including the 495 Express Lanes, the 95 Express Lanes, and the 395 Express Lanes – all delivered on time and on budget.
“We remain committed to this project, to our partners and to the community that is counting on us,” said Scott Evans, Branch Civil Senior Vice-President of Operations. “We are mobilized and focused on delivering what will be a transformational project for the Fredericksburg area.”
About the Express Lanes operated by Transurban
The 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes provide drivers in Northern Virginia with faster and more predictable travel options along more than 50 miles of highway. 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.
March 1, 2022
Transurban, the operator of the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes, shared its third annual contribution of $15 million to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC). This payment brings the total investment to more than $45 million since 2019.
Due to an agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation, Transurban contributes a portion of its 395 Express Lanes toll revenue annually toward Commuter Choice programs benefitting the I-395/I-95 corridor.
The Commuter Choice program, managed by NVTC, aims to improve the lives of Northern Virginians by supporting the regional economy, increasing mobility options and reducing congestion and vehicle emissions.
Tolls from Express Lanes customers make it easier to get around in NoVA:
To find a rideshare or bus that works for you, check out the resources below:
January 14, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT
Tim Pratt
571-253-3057
tpratt@transurban.com
ALEXANDRIA – Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) recently approved the designation of two ramps as high occupancy toll (HOT) ramps under projects led by Transurban, operators of the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes, which will deliver improved access, opportunity and reliability to customers in Northern Virginia.
The CTB, which oversees transportation projects and initiatives for the Commonwealth, unanimously approved the ramp designations for the 395 Seminary Road Ramp Project in Alexandria and the 95 Express Lanes Opitz Boulevard Ramp Project in Woodbridge.
“I thank the Commonwealth Transportation Board for its continued confidence in Transurban to deliver congestion relief, economic opportunity and investment in Northern Virginia,” said Pierce Coffee, president, Transurban North America. “The Seminary Road and Opitz Boulevard projects allow us to better connect customers to important destinations while delivering more travel options and trip reliability.”
The 395 Seminary Road Ramp Project involves converting an existing south-facing, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane ramp on I-395 into a HOT lane, or Express lane, ramp at the Seminary Road interchange in Alexandria. This conversion will enable all Express Lanes customers, not just HOV-3 car-poolers, access to this existing entry and exit point along the eight-mile 395 Express Lanes corridor, helping to improve convenience and network reliability, and relieve congestion. HOV vehicles will still be able to use the ramp toll-free while vehicles with fewer than three people will be able to use the ramp by paying a toll. The project construction is limited to roadway sign work, with the ramp scheduled for operational conversion later this year.
The 95 Express Lanes Opitz Boulevard Ramp Project involves constructing a south-facing, reversible ramp between the 95 Express Lanes and an expanded Opitz Boulevard (Route 2000) bridge. The ramp will be built in the existing median between the southbound I-95 regular lanes and the 95 Express Lanes. In addition, the existing slip ramp from the southbound I-95 regular lanes to the southbound 95 Express Lanes, just north of the Opitz Boulevard, will be relocated to just south of the Dale Boulevard (Route 784) interchange.
The estimated $70 million project will improve access to and from the 95 Express Lanes for travelers from central and southern Prince William County and points south, including to one of the region’s largest shopping centers at Potomac Mills and the Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2022, with an opening in mid-2024.
The Seminary Road and Opitz Boulevard projects were presented to the public by the Virginia Department of Transportation prior to the CTB’s vote. Public input was sought by VDOT on the 395 Seminary Road Ramp project most recently at a public information meeting on December 6, 2021. The 95 Express Lanes Opitz Boulevard Ramp Project was presented for public input through a comment period and at virtual and in-person public hearing options in October 2021.
The Seminary Road and Opitz Boulevard projects improve access to Transurban’s 95 and 395 Express Lanes, a 39-mile corridor representing the longest reversible system of dynamic express lanes in the nation. Transurban’s Virginia Express Lanes network has saved 7 million customers more than 17 million hours of time since the first segment opened in 2012. With Express Lanes extensions progressing in Virginia and Maryland, Transurban is advancing a seamless transportation system that delivers safer, faster and more reliable travel choices across the Greater Washington Region.
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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
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.