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I just moved to NoVa from California, and am thoroughly confused every road, ramp, and highway in NoVa. To add to the confusion, the HOV system is so different from CA. I understand that the far left lane is HOV 2+/3+ during rush hours, and that inside the beltway, all eastbound and westbound traffic during peak hours is HOV only.
However, I got super confused yesterday when driving home (to Crystal City). In the mornings, I take I-66 to Route 267 and get off at Dolly Madison Blvd/ Chain Bridge Road - it's a normal all-traffic ramp. However, in the evening when I get on the onramp on Route 267 at Dolly Madison towards Arlington, it looks like there's a big diamond on the pavement. Does that mean that the whole ramp is HOV-only, even though it is a freeway entrance into a normal lane?
In addition, on the tunnell in Rosslyn on I-66 leaving DC, why are there diamonds (HOV?) on the pavement in all lanes, even though that is a normal freeway - as I understand it, because I am reverse-commuting, the HOV restrictions on I-66 do not affect me.
If anyone can shed some light on these matters, it would be greatly appreciated. I hope that I can figure out these crazy roads soon!
In Rosslyn, those diamonds are there because they mark the beginning of the HOV restrictions on 66W during evening rush hour. You can cross the Roosevelt Bridge by yourself, but if you don't take the Rosslyn/Key Bridge exit, you're violating the HOV restrictions.
Presumably the diamond in the on-ramp to 267E is to serve as yet another indicator that, "hey, there are some restrictions you should be aware of." Lots of people manage to ignore all the signs indicating that there are HOV restrictions, so VDOT probably put a diamond on the lane for those people who don't read road signs. Also, the right-most lane on 267E is for buses only, so perhaps it's for that reason.
You're fine I made the same reverse commutes (Crystal City to Reston and back) my first year out of college, and the HOV restrictions don't apply since you're going at off hours.
You're fine I made the same reverse commutes (Crystal City to Reston and back) my first year out of college, and the HOV restrictions don't apply since you're going at off hours.
It is super confusing though! Welcome to the area
Thank you to everyone who has posted!
So just to verify, when I am leaving Tysons to go back to Crystal City at night, and get on Route 267 at the Dolly Madison interchange, am I allowed to as a single driver, or do I have to use the I-66 interchange at Leesburg Pike to be compliant with the law.
You are compliant because the HOV traffic is westbound on I-66. It's only during the morning where you would have the restriction using that entrance from Tyson's Corner.
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I made the same reverse commutes (Crystal City to Reston and back) my first year out of college, and the HOV restrictions don't apply since you're going at off hours.
