I-395 Express Lane Construction Begins Near Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Express Lane operator Transurban broke ground Wednesday on the project adding HOV lane space on Interstate 395 near Alexandria.

The project will add an eight-mile extension of toll roads from a little north of Edsall Road in Alexandria to the DC border. The two reversible HOV lanes will become three, and the project is expected to finish in 2020.

Transurban, the private operator of express lanes on 395, 95, 495 and the future lanes on 66, entered into an agreement for the project with the Virginia Department of Transportation. The project aims to reduce congestion along the heavily-traveled road. WTOP reports the project will cost $342 million. Both private and public funds will go toward the project.

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The project will also add a fourth regular lane between the Duke Street and Edsall Road interchange, since one regular lane will become a toll lane in this area. Other improvements include adding new bus and commuter lanes near the Pentagon, as well as revamping the Pentagon South parking area.

“Anyone who travels on I-395 and I-95 today can attest that this is one of the most congested corridors in the country,” said Gov. Terry McAuliffe in a statement Wednesday. “Today’s groundbreaking is the first project of the Commonwealth’s larger Atlantic Gateway Initiative which aims to unlock the I-95 Corridor.

Summer construction will begin from Eads Road in Arlington to Edsall Road in Alexandria. There will be little impact on regular lanes, but road work will take place after rush hour and at night, so Express Lane drivers may experience lane shifts.

The express lanes will continue to be free for cars with three or more occupants and an E-Z Pass Flex set to HOV mode. Regular E-Z Pass holders can also pay a toll to enter.

See more information on the project here.

Image via NeonFire/Wikimedia Commons