95 HOT will Open on 12/14. Free until 12/29.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by pcity

But an extra lane IS added capacity. That's why there was no problem with this from a Federal standpoint. If this were ONLY tolling existing lanes, it wouldn't fly. Pennsylvania tried that with I-80 and it was a non-starter.

I don't see what the basis of any lawsuit would be.

There are areas where a full lane does not appear to be added (it's 100% dark when I travel so not sure) and there are areas where it appears that full lengths of lane were added however they seem to be there for the sole purpose of exit/entry onto one of the new exits.

And, for arguments sake, lets say a full lane was added to the old lanes, you still have two lanes that were paid for by taxpayers that have been used for at least 20 years outside of the HOV hours by anyone who wanted to use them. How does adding one new lane to existing HOV lanes allow the state to turn our roads over to Transurban? A legal loophole, I'm guessing.

[gomason]

It's amazing that the 495 HOT lanes are only 1 year old and we've already put them on 95 and now apparently they're coming to 66 inside and outside the beltway: Virginia to study HOT lanes inside the Beltway - The Washington Post. Doesn't seem like much time to study their effectiveness.

[greekchampion04]

Its working for the politicians that get kickbacks from the private companies!

[e2ksj3]

Originally Posted by pcity

But an extra lane IS added capacity. That's why there was no problem with this from a Federal standpoint. If this were ONLY tolling existing lanes, it wouldn't fly. Pennsylvania tried that with I-80 and it was a non-starter.

I don't see what the basis of any lawsuit would be.

I see what you are saying but there can be an argument made that some capacity was taken away. Lanes that were free & available outside of rush hour can no longer be used.

Although the lanes were extended to Stafford & widened above the Prince William parkway, nothing was done to the section from the parkway to 234. That could be an argument used.

I guess we will have to wait & see what happens..

[ReblTeen84]

Originally Posted by gomason

The only reason I really care at all is its one more project they're wrapping up on 95/395 so hopefully there will be some relief from construction traffic.

And yes, it's not hard to see that there's going to be mass confusion. The average person is a moron and they'll be clueless what to do at Edsall Road. And you can just look at what happened on 495 Hot Lanes day 1.

Yeah, but part of that can be blamed on idiot drivers. Ignoring the lanes for a moment, backing up on a major highway is a bad idea no matter what the reason. Too bad people didn't lose their licenses for that, if you're dumb enough to do it, you've got no business driving (my opinion, of course).

[Old Guard]

Originally Posted by greekchampion04

Its working for the politicians that get kickbacks from the private companies!

Exactly. This is a great scheme. This is a transfer of wealth that seems to have no oversight.