WASHINGTON — Interstate 66 is about to get a high-tech makeover to help ease congestion on the busy Northern Virginia commuter route.
The Virginia Department of Transportation will roll out its new Active Traffic Management System on I-66 by noon Wednesday.
The new signs, signals and cameras will try to tell drivers what’s ahead on their commute.
The system will be in place from the District line to U.S. Route 29 in Gainesville.
Whenever traffic becomes congested, any time of day, drivers will be able to use the shoulder lane between the Capital Beltway and U.S. Route 50. The red “X” lanes will turn to green arrows, opening up the shoulder to traffic.
Between Nutley Street and Route 29 in Centreville, new lane control signals will alert drivers to which lanes are open or blocked ahead. Additional signals will be installed between Nutley Street and the Beltway in the next few weeks.
Additional dynamic messaging signs will indicate if there’s an upcoming delay or accident.
There are also more cameras installed along the roadway so law enforcement and rescue crews can more quickly respond to emergency calls.
The project cost $38.6 million.
