Tom Warne Report, 7 September 2012
WASHINGTON – The Washington, D.C. region is expected to be removed from the list of top ten worst commutes in the nation with Northern Virginia’s two big HOT lanes projects, the AAA predicts. The agency says with the HOT lanes project on the Capital Beltway set to open this December, and construction on the I-95 HOT lanes scheduled to be complete in 2015, drivers may be able to commute from Stafford County to Tyson’s Corner in Fairfax County traveling at the speed limit. Construction has just recently begun on the 14-mile stretch of I-95. AAA spokesperson Lon Anderson said the overall commute times should improve significantly when the projects are done.
“That could just be the silver bullet,” Anderson said. “These projects will mean that the Washington area will see an actual drop in its commuting time across the region just because of the impact of those two roads.” The HOT lanes, which are now called Express Lanes, will have EZ Pass tolling with congestion pricing that will vary based on the level of traffic in the lane.
I have been privileged to provide partnering facilitation services for the HOT Lanes Project over the last four years. Fluor-Lane is the DB contractor, CBE (Transurban and Fluor) is the developer and VDOT is the owner. The project team has constructed an amazing array of improvements associated with the HOT Lanes under some of the most adverse traffic conditions in the country. It will be a huge relief to area motorists. TW