Get Ready for a Faster, More Predictable Trip on I-95

The 95 Express Lanes will provide faster, more predictable travel options on I-95 in Northern Virginia when they open in December. The existing high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes will convert to high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes, adding new choices, length and capacity. The Express Lanes will offer commuters relief from long, unpredictable trips along the I-95 corridor.

The 95 Express Lanes will be from Garrisonville Road in Stafford County to the Edsall Road area in Fairfax County and will create a regional HOV/transit network, which will provide a seamless connection to the 495 Express Lanes and into Tysons, as well as new access points to better connect the system to Virginia-based destinations and major military sites.

Express Lanes and E-ZPass
All drivers will need an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex to use the Express Lanes. Carpools, sluggers or those who travel frequently with three or more people in the vehicle can travel toll-free on the Express Lanes, 24/7, with an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode. If you travel alone or with one other person, you will need a standard E-ZPass, which will automatically pay the toll for every trip. If you already have an E-ZPass, it will work on the Express Lanes.

• E-ZPass Flex works like a standard E-ZPass but allows carpoolers to switch between HOV and toll-paying modes
• The switchable E-ZPass Flex lets the Express Lanes operator know which vehicles are HOV-3+ so that they aren’t charged a toll
• E-ZPass Flex works like a standard E-ZPass on all other Virginia toll roads and wherever E-ZPass is accepted – regardless of the position of the switch

Virginia E-ZPass customers who carpool can exchange their standard E-ZPass for an E-ZPass Flex or add an E-ZPass Flex as an additional transponder on their account. Visit www.ezpassva.com/EZPages/Get-Flex.aspx or call the Customer Service Center at (877) 762-7824 for more information.

E-ZPass Tips
When you open a prepaid account, you’ll receive a small electronic transponder that attaches to the inside of your vehicle’s windshield. Each E-ZPass transponder comes with adhesive mounting strips and installation instructions. Follow these E-ZPass tips for a smooth trip on the Express Lanes:

• Make sure your E-ZPass is correctly mounted in your car
• Make sure your E-ZPass account is linked to your license plate
• Make sure your E-ZPass can be read through the windshield
• Make sure your E-ZPass account is in good standing with sufficient funds
  
• Ensure your address is updated and correct with the DMV
• Consider setting your account up with auto replenishment to avoid having to remember your balance

Get Your E-ZPass Today
You can pick up an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex at a variety of local Virginia retailers including:

• AAA Mid-Atlantic locations
• Select DMV, Giant and Wegmans grocery stores in Northern Virginia
• Tysons Corner Center
• E-ZPass customer service centers
• Online at www.ezpassva.com
• By calling E-ZPass Virginia at 1-877-762-7824

For more information about where to purchase an E-ZPass, visit www.ezpassva.com.

Rules of the Road
When the Express Lanes open, the rules of the road will be in effect 24/7:

• Two-axle trucks may use the Express Lanes, but 18-wheeler trucks cannot
• Unlike the HOV lanes, where the rules are only in place during peak-travel periods, the rules on the Express Lanes will always be in effect
• Like today’s I-95 HOV lanes, the Express Lanes will be reversible with the reversal of the lanes in the morning and evening following largely the same process and timing as today
• Buses, motorcycles and emergency vehicles can use the Express Lanes toll-free

The Edsall Road Transition Area
The rules on the I-395 HOV lanes will be the same as they are today. However, the Express Lanes will end and the HOV lanes will begin on I-395 just north of Edsall Road. That means that when the HOV restriction is in effect, drivers traveling alone or with one passenger will need to exit from the Express Lanes to avoid entering the HOV lanes. HOV-3+ and eligible clean fuel plate vehicles can travel in the HOV lanes as they do today.

Traveling Northbound in the Morning

• Drivers traveling alone or with one passenger will need to exit from the Express Lanes to avoid entering the HOV lanes
• Drivers with three or more people in the car and hybrid/clean plate vehicles can continue straight onto the I-395 HOV lanes

Traveling Southbound in the Afternoon

• Drivers in the regular I-95 lanes with an E-ZPass may choose to enter the Express Lanes
• HOV-3+ and hybrid/clean fuel plate vehicles with an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex can continue onto the Express Lanes
• Drivers who don’t have an E-ZPass or don’t wish to travel on the Express Lanes may exit onto the regular I-95 lanes via a ramp

For more information about the transition area just north of Edsall Road on I-395, please visit: 95ExpressLanes.com/transition.

The 95 Express Lanes will be easy to use, however there are some new aspects of the road that are worth reading about to help you prepare. Visit 95ExpressLanes.com to learn more about how tolling works, what signs to look for as you approach the lanes and safety tips.

We hope to see you soon on the 95 Express Lanes.