WASHINGTON – Monday morning traffic was light as drivers paid tolls for the first time to travel along the new 95 Express Lanes.
The new toll lanes officially opened to motorists in mid December but no tolls were charged and normal rush-hour HOV restrictions remained in place. But the free ride ended Monday.
Mike McGurk, spokesman for Transurban, which operates the toll lanes, says it will take several weeks before the company can determine what the typical daily traffic volume and choke points will be along the 29-mile stretch of reversible road.
“We think this week traffic volumes will remain pretty light especially with the holiday in the middle of the week,” McGurk says.
Two likely choke points lie where the express lanes end in Stafford County and at Duke Street along Interstate 395.
McGurk expects that many of the motorists traveling in the lanes will be high occupancy vehicles and will be able to continue in the express lanes through Arlington County and into the District, instead of merging into the main lanes at Duke Street.
Virginia State Police Captain James DeFord, the commander for Northern Virginia, says he’ll post extra patrols at those end points in Stafford in the afternoon and in the morning north of Edsall Road.
“We actually have extra troopers deployed up there in the mornings working overtime for the first few weeks in case there is an incident to be able to quickly get there and clear it,” DeFord says.
Police will also watch the express lanes near Duke Street because it’ll be tricky for drivers.
“When you get to Duke Street, if you’re not HOV-3, regardless of whether you have the tolling, EZ-Pass or not, you’ve got to get out and get in the main line,” DeFord says.
Police also urge drivers not to slow down, stop or back up in the express lanes to avoid a serious crash.
Anyone who accidentally enters the lanes should exit at the next interchange and then call Transurban, says McGurk.
“Just contact us after your trip. Give us a call or visit our website and we’re going to take care of those fees through our first-time forgiveness program for drivers that take the lanes by mistake,” he says.
Drivers can find more information by calling 1-855-495-9777 or visit www.expresslanes.com.
He urged drivers who want to use the lanes to obtain an EZ-Pass. Carpoolers will need an EZ-Pass Flex to avoid paying tolls.
Learn the new rules of the road on our express lanes frequently asked questions page.
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