VDOT Is Proposing a Major I-395 Expansion -- Here's What It Will Look Like

The Virginia Department of Transportation just held its first public information meeting on April 11 on a major project to expand Interstate 395.

The meeting took place at Wakefield High School in Arlington, and another is set to take place April 13 at Francis C. Hammond Middle School in Alexandria. The project would involve extending the 395 Express Lanes for eight miles north of Edsall Road in Alexandria up to Eads Street here in Arlington, according to VDOT.

The project would involve converting two existing HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes into express lanes and adding a third lane. The lanes would be reversible, and would be built into the existing HOV lanes footprint.

HOV vehicles -- vehicles with at least three people in them -- will still be able to use the express lanes for free, while those without at least three people can still use them and pay a variable toll.

Construction is slated to begin in 2017, and authorities hope to open the new extended lanes in 2019.