Let’s take a trip down memory lane with the 495 and 95 Express Lanes.
495 Express Lanes Timeline
Early 2000s: VDOT begins planning a highway expansion to address traffic on the Capital Beltway in Virginia. Community members don’t support the initial plan to add regular lanes because it was costly, disruptive to the local area and lacked transit options.
2002: The private sector approaches VDOT with a new plan to build 4 HOT (high occupancy or toll) lanes. This plan would cost fewer tax dollars, offer new options to carpool and take the bus, and disrupt far fewer homeowners and businesses—VDOT approves it.
2007: VDOT finalizes its long-term agreement with the private partners – Fluor-Lane, responsible for the project’s design and construction, and Transurban, responsible for financing and operating the project.
2008: Construction kicks off.
2012: The 495 Express Lanes open.
95 Express Lanes Timeline
2004: VDOT accepts Transurban and Fluor-Lane’s proposal to ease congestion along the I-95 corridor by extending the HOT lanes.
2012: VDOT finalizes its long-term contract with the private partners and construction of the Lanes begins.
2014: The 95 Express Lanes open.
395 Express Lanes timeline
2017: In February, VDOT accepts Transurban’s proposal to extend the 95 Express Lanes 8 miles north to bring new travel choices to the I-395 corridor. Construction begins in the summer.
2019: The 395 Express Lanes open.