WASHINGTON — The public has three chances to weigh in on plans to extend the Interstate 395 Express Lanes north by eight miles so they end near the D.C. line.
Currently the Express Lanes end near Edsall Road, where they turn into high-occupancy vehicle lanes.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has scheduled three public hearings so that the public can comment on the extension design plans and a draft of the environmental assessment. The hearings begin at 6:30 p.m., with the formal presentation beginning at 7 p.m., and are scheduled for:
- Monday at Wakefield High School at 1325 S. Dinwiddie Street in Arlington.
- Wednesday at Francis C. Hammond Middle School at 4646 Seminary Road in Alexandria.
- Wednesday, Nov. 30 at Bren Mar Park Elementary School at 6344 Beryl Road in Alexandria.
Those who cannot make the hearings can comment on the design plans and on the environmental assessment by sending an email to 395expresslanes@VDOT.Virginia.gov with the subject line “I-395 Express Lanes Northern Extension” or by mailing a letter to Ms. Amanda Baxter, Virginia Department of Transportation, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.
VDOT is accepting comments through Monday, Dec. 12.
Construction on the extension of the I-395 Express Lanes is expected to begin in the spring of 2017, and the lanes are expected to open in 2019. The extension project will turn the current two HOV lanes (eight miles) into express lanes. A third lane will also be added.
