I-66 HOT lanes (Washington: fit in, 2014, construction)

[gomason]

Seems like 66 will be the next highway to get HOT lanes. I think it's ridiculous we have to rely on private investors to expand our public infrastucture, but I guess that's what it's come to. I guess the silver lining is that at least HOV3+ and bus riders can fly by in them. I read somewhere else that the goal is to get construction started in 2016 or 2017.

I also read that the plan is for 3 general purpose lanes and two HOT lanes that are reversible ala 95/395. Previously, I had seen that the state's long term plan was 4 general purpose lanes and 2 HOT. Not many people are going to be happy about losing a lane. Could also be challenging to do this in the Nutley Street area with the Metro in the median.

What do you guys think?

I sure am glad I moved off of the 66 corridor.

Virginia may replace I-66 HOV lanes with express lanes, but is that a hot idea? - The Washington Post

[yamota]

I wouldn't exactly describes buses as "flying by"

[gomason]

Originally Posted by yamota

I wouldn't exactly describes buses as "flying by"

Is 65 MPH not fast enough for you?

[NOVA_guy]

I think it's ridiculous we have to rely on private investors to expand our public infrastucture,

Completely agree.

The only positive to the HOT lanes is it definitely works. I've lost count of how many mornings I've been sitting on 495 and seeing people fly by me in the HOT lanes.

[tysonsengineer]

Whatever is done with these megaprojects, so long as land use policy lags and people can just build further out, it will just delay the inevitable. The toll road used to be free flow too. Even tolled lanes hit a threshold eventually.

Beyond this, theres the issue of contract language. Sure its a public private partnership for construction cost, but if the systems don't make money, the taxpayers are liable. So essentially the risk remains on us.

Those two elements conflict to the point that you can't have 1 and 2. You will either have 1 (no benefit to users eventually) or 2 (big problems for our budgets).

[newvadad]

I've been saying for fifteen years, jokingly of course, that 66 needed a second deck but I'll take the HOT for now..lol

[tysonsengineer]

Originally Posted by newvadad

I've been saying for fifteen years, jokingly of course, that 66 needed a second deck but I'll take the HOT for now..lol

smh, what an incredible waste of limited money that would be. 3 billion at a minimum, if not closer to 5.

[Zack]

I think they are planning three general lanes and two HOT lanes each direction which is probably all that will fit in that corridor without tunneling or decking. For that corridor it's probably the best, feasible solution to put in place with the contingencies that exist. Extending metro west is going to be just as expensive as HOT lanes since the highway will need to be pushed out in areas, but wouldn't have the tolls coming in to pay off construction bonds. With two HOT lanes, it should be easy to run commuter buses down I-66; unlike now where the HOV lane is jammed and simply doesn't work.

Totally agree that land use needs to be fixed in that corridor. The developments need to be more village/town like where there's a central meeting point that could support commuter bus schedules.

[Middlin]

Where would they start and end? I can even fathom how long this would take as both widenings of 66, both of which were about 2 miles took 3 years each

[FlightAttendant]

What I want to know is this: where were our highly paid urban planners/county execs when they were handing out building permits right and left? There was NO accountability to the citizens who would endure the misery of the traffic problems created by such irresponsible urban growth without benefit of planning the infarstructure to support all this growth. Makes me think of bribes and pay-offs. No proof, but just sayin' Someone should be jailed...many "someones". Just my rant. I live off 95 south of Stafford...the traffic is absolutely insane....and will only get worse.