I66 tolls now in effect - at times over $30 one way (Washington: price, law)

[NOVA_guy]

When they first started on 95 people were pretty outraged, especially the folks going all the way down to Stafford. But eventually people just stopped complaining since no one seems to care that the region is getting ripped off by these tolls.

[314Pie]

Originally Posted by native_va_gal

This morning the new tolling began on I66 inside the beltway for single drivers during expanded rush hours. Did this impact your commute/experience on I66 or nearby roads that were affected....?

https://wtop.com/dc-transit/2017/12/...nside-beltway/

wow.. top out at $34.50!


has Anyone who used I66 during the toll times see cops on the lookout for solo drivers cheating by setting their EZPass to HOV mode?


and how would cops even know the solo driver was cheating?!?!

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by NOVAmtneer82

On the flip side, I do think some of the early bird commuters people who are outraged have reason to be as the HOV times/ tolling now begin at 5:30 am versus the previous 6:30. A lot of solo drivers were used to being able to hit 66 inside-the-beltway at 5:45 or 6 or even 6:15 and head on in- the prices were already high even at those times this morning.

This is what we experienced on I95. Tons of people made use of both the HOV lanes and regular lanes early in the morning (prior to 6AM) and up until about 6:15, all lanes flowed really well. Once HOT went into effect, all the people using the unrestricted HOV got forced into the the regular lanes and we've had a "new" 3 mile backup in the morning at 5:15 AM ever since. The same thing happens in the early afternoon.

[dkf747]

What was the reason for changing to 5:30 am? 6:30 would have worked fine, or so I think.

[NOVAmtneer82]

VDOT wanted them to match the HOV (soon to be HOT) lane times outside-the-Beltway. The widening of 66 from Gainesville to the Beltway will add one new HOT lane in each direction and then they are converting the existing HOV to HOT - the end product being two HOT lanes in each direction between DC and Gainesville.When this next phase opens in 2022 they will also be changing the HOV requirement for all of 66 to be HOV-3.

[NeganGrimes]

how long does it usually take for the toll debit to be reflected on my ez pass account? I used 66 this morning and it still says the same amount on my account

[Zack]

My take is that they are feeling out how much traffic will come in at different prices. With no data to work from, they are being conservative in pricing to avoid too many cars coming in and causing a jam.

Even once the prices settle, I'm sure $15-20 will be pretty common just based on what you see on I-495. I-66 serves Mclean, Great Falls, Oakton, and Vienna which have plenty of drivers who can afford that level of toll.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by NeganGrimes

how long does it usually take for the toll debit to be reflected on my ez pass account? I used 66 this morning and it still says the same amount on my account

You might see it later tonight or tomorrow morning.

[NeganGrimes]

okay how about this, what if I exit on to the beltway from 66, and then take 395 north to DC, how much would the toll be then

[PGEMF]

Originally Posted by NeganGrimes

okay how about this, what if I exit on to the beltway from 66, and then take 395 north to DC, how much would the toll be then

Zero