November 4, 2019
The 395 HOV lanes are set to open as dynamically tolled express lanes on the night of Sunday, November 17, pending weather and on-road crew activities.
For final preparation, the 395 HOV lanes will close the evening of Friday, November 15. With safety as the priority, the Express Lanes team is preparing drivers for the changes.
Here’s what drivers need to know before hitting the road
Tips to stay safe on the road
E-ZPass® or E-ZPass® Flex will be required at all entry ramps to the Express Lanes
Drivers who get on the northbound 395 HOV lanes just before D.C. may be less likely to have an E-ZPass® compared to other drivers on the HOV lanes. Drivers are reminded that the ramps to the northbound Express Lanes from S. Eads Street and from the regular lanes just before the 14th Street Bridge will require an E-ZPass®.
Carpools with 3 or more people will need an E-ZPass® Flex to travel for free. The Express Lanes team is offering an option for carpoolers who don’t have an E-ZPass® Flex when the lanes open. At any point before December 1, carpoolers who don’t have an E-ZPass® can contact the Express Lanes team to register their license plate number for seven days of toll-free travel on the Lanes. The grace period is to give drivers time to order an E-ZPass® Flex online or pick one up from an area retailer.
Drivers can get an E-ZPass® by signing up online, calling 877-762-7824, or in-person from E-ZPass® Customer Service Centers or E-ZPass® On-the-Go retail locations. Still have questions? Head to the Express Lanes website for more information on E-ZPass® and E-ZPass® Flex.
Safely stay updated once the 395 Express Lanes are open
Once the Lanes are open, pricing will be available on overhead signs. Updates about any on-road issues will be shared via Twitter (@VAExpressLanes).
The Express Lanes team is ready to help. If drivers have more questions about the 395 Express Lanes, they can head on over to the 395 Express Lanes website, call at 1-855-495-9777, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m., or connect on Facebook or Twitter.