Some I-66 Toll Prices Could Drop: Report

The Virginia Department of Transportation is working on changes to the prices algorithm that could lower the price of tolls on Interstate 66 inside the Beltway. That is, during certain times.

WTOP first reported that the changes to prices will come in the next few weeks. For solo drivers, that could mean lower prices outside the busiest parts of rush hour. Initially there could be no drastic changes to the times that have carried the highest prices, typically between 8:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. Adjustments will be based on traffic and how drivers have reacted to the toll prices.

According to VDOT's February tolling data, 989 drivers of 581,672 total paid tolls of $40 or higher to drive on the 10-mile stretch of 66 inside the Beltway. The average price during tolling hours is $8.71 in the morning and $4.51 in the evening.

This will be the first change to the tolling algorithm since the tolls took effect in December, but it won't be the last. VDOT expects to change the tolling algorithm and speed targets, post more information about alternate routes and encourage more people to carpool.

Changes to the toll pricing algorithm and target travel speeds, additional information posted about parallel alternative routes and a continued push to get more people to carpool are all expected to be pieces of the changes in coming months.

Tolls are in effect for solo drivers between 5:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. eastbound and 3 p.m.-7 p.m. westbound. Prices adjust every few minutes to keep traffic flowing at a target speed of 55 mph. Trips are free for carpoolers with E-Z Pass Flex set to HOV mode. The average speed during morning rush hour in February was 52.4 mph, compared to 45.7 mph last year.

For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.

Image via VDOT