Beltway HOT lanes to open Nov. 17th (Vienna: how much, bus)

[scottfs]

Originally Posted by spencgr

Yes, I agree, it will completely suck for people on the Inner Loop in the afternoons, as the HOT lanes dump back onto 495. But that's not me, so I don't care too much. I'm going the opposite way and hope that the traffic can ease up and people split into HOT lanes and regular lanes.

When I am on the Inner Loop in the morning, there is rarely traffic at that point, so I don't envision it being too much of an issue.

I realize my comments are all about my personal commute, but I really can't concern myself with other people's.....

Is the same effect not expected in the other direction when the HOT lanes dump back onto 495/95 in Springfield?

[GustavoFring]

Originally Posted by scottfs

Is the same effect not expected in the other direction when the HOT lanes dump back onto 495/95 in Springfield?

For those carpooling, those lanes will dump right into the HOV lanes I think. The congestion around the springfield interchange on the outer loop is not currently that bad , it's usually above the speed limit. A mile or two down 95 is where you start to run into trouble.

Edit: just took a look at their site, and it looks like if you're staying HOV, you'll have the option to hug the inside left lane and take a dedicated exit to the HOV lanes. If you're just paying the toll and want to get to the regular 95 south road, it looks like you'll have to merge into existing traffic after braddock road. That does have the potential to cause some problems...

[michgc]

Originally Posted by GustavoFring

Unfortunately they don't begin until you get to 123, but it still might be enough of a pressure-release valve to make a difference. I'd be more worried about going north on the inner loop. Where those lanes end may cause a bigger jam than there is on a daily basis currently.

You can actually access it just north of the Dulles Access Road:

https://www.495expresslanes.com/using-the-lanes

[GustavoFring]

Originally Posted by michgc

You can actually access it just north of the Dulles Access Road:

https://www.495expresslanes.com/using-the-lanes

Yup, where 495 crosses chain bridge

[car54]

Originally Posted by GustavoFring

...I certainly won't be paying for them unless there's an emergency, so I don't care that much.

My only fear is that there is some sort of exclusive contract that ensures a much more difficult process for improvements to the free lanes in the future (such as expansion or alternatives) so as to direct traffic onto the Lexus LAnes.

No need for such deviousness as "some sort of exclusive contract" to direct traffic onto the Lexus Lanes.

Transurban/Fluor already have an agreement with VA that if revenue from their Express Lanes fails to meet an agreed upon amount....the taxpayers of VA will make up the difference. So, you (and I, and everybody else) may well end up paying whether we use the lanes or not.

Those Aussies sure drive a hard bargain!

[GustavoFring]

Originally Posted by car54

No need for such deviousness as "some sort of exclusive contract" to direct traffic onto the Lexus Lanes.

Transurban/Fluor already have an agreement with VA that if revenue from their Express Lanes fails to meet an agreed upon amount....the taxpayers of VA will make up the difference. So, you (and I, and everybody else) may well end up paying whether we use the lanes or not.

Those Aussies sure drive a hard bargain!

We'll see how arrogant they are when they run out of water.... It'll be madmax land over there and I'll be sitting in my Jacuzzi tub just wondering what to do with all of the excess..

[tgbwc]

I don't plan on using them. It's only once in a great while that we even use the Beltway (not even monthly) and I understand a transponder is needed. I don't think it would be worth having for the amount of times we would use it.

[yolli71]

I've been eagerly awaiting for these lanes to open and I will be using them frequently. I live off Rte 50 in Merrifield and work in Rockville, so I take the beltway daily. I've had to deal with this construction on a daily basis for the past 4 years.

My wife and I drive in together as she also works in Rockville, so we take our 3 year old son with us to daycare in Rockville as well...so we're lucky that we'll be able to use the Express Lanes for free. Granted, it's only a small part of our commute, but I'll still take it.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by yolli71

I've been eagerly awaiting for these lanes to open and I will be using them frequently. I live off Rte 50 in Merrifield and work in Rockville, so I take the beltway daily. I've had to deal with this construction on a daily basis for the past 4 years.

My wife and I drive in together as she also works in Rockville, so we take our 3 year old son with us to daycare in Rockville as well...so we're lucky that we'll be able to use the Express Lanes for free. Granted, it's only a small part of our commute, but I'll still take it.

I hope you've already ordered your special new EZPass transponder? You cannot use the regular one if you plan to ride for free. You can use the regular one if you plan on paying for the HOT lanes.

[ReblTeen84]

Originally Posted by yolli71

I've been eagerly awaiting for these lanes to open and I will be using them frequently. I live off Rte 50 in Merrifield and work in Rockville, so I take the beltway daily. I've had to deal with this construction on a daily basis for the past 4 years.

My wife and I drive in together as she also works in Rockville, so we take our 3 year old son with us to daycare in Rockville as well...so we're lucky that we'll be able to use the Express Lanes for free. Granted, it's only a small part of our commute, but I'll still take it.

Me as well. I work in Tysons, so the lanes will drop me right off on Westpark then I can swing over to 123. Plus, I ride a motorcycle, so any day I ride I don't have to pay for the lanes at all (which is 6+ months a year). Not only will it cut time off my trip both ways, it cuts 12 miles each day off, since I don't have to take HOV to the Pentagon and catch the GW.