WASHINGTON — With major changes being proposed on Interstate 66, the Virginia Department of Transportation is holding a series of public meetings this week for citizens.
VDOT is proposing adding two new toll lanes from the Capital Beltway to US 15 in Haymarket. It would include converting the current HOV-2 lane to HOV-3, and then also widen the interstate to add one new lane in each direction. The two lanes would then become tolled.
Three options are on the table. One would have a concrete barrier like the 95 Express Lanes. The second would have plastic ballards like the 495 Express Lanes. Both of these options would preserve median space for any future transit projects, like extending Metro’s Orange Line.
The rules would be similar to the current Express Lanes, where drivers with three or more people can ride toll-free. All other people would have to pay a toll, at all hours.
Such a transition would happen in two phases.
The first phase would be to change HOV-2 to HOV-3 from Arlington to Haymarket, which would happen between 2017 and 2020. This would coincide with plans to add tolls during rush hours inside the Beltway. Phase two would be to construct and open the 66 Express Lanes outside the Beltway, slated to be open around 2022.
“We have four meetings planned this week. We are going to have an opportunity for a presentation and for a Q&A. We will also have a staff to answer any other questions that folks might have,” says Renée Hamilton, VDOT Deputy District Administrator.
“After the public meetings, we will kick into another phase, reaching out to homeowners associations and the homeowners themselves,” she adds.
Here are the meeting dates, locations and times:
Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Oakton High School – Cafeteria (Entrance #1 or #14)
2900 Sutton Road, Vienna, VA 22181
Snow Date: Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
VDOT Northern Virginia District, first floor, Occoquan Room
4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Bull Run Elementary School – Cafeteria (Entrance #1)
15301 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA 20121
Snow Date: Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
VDOT Northern Virginia District, first floor, Occoquan Room
4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Battlefield High School – Cafeteria (Entrance #1 or #4)
15000 Graduation Drive, Haymarket, VA 20169
Snow Date: Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Battlefield High School – Cafeteria (Entrance #1 or #4)
15000 Graduation Drive, Haymarket, VA 20169
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
VDOT Northern Virginia District, first floor, Occoquan Room
4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
Snow Date: Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015,6 – 8:30 p.m.
VDOT Northern Virginia District, first floor, Occoquan Room
4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
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