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Transurban Awards $10,000 Community Partnership Grant to Joint EMS Bike Team from Fairfax County and Vienna

May 24, 2018

Tysons, Va. — Transurban, operator of the 495 and 95 Express Lanes, met yesterday in Reston Town Center with representatives from Fairfax County to award the joint Emergency Medical Services Bike Team from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department with a $10,000 community partnership grant to support their ongoing cooperative operations to provide emergency response to citizens throughout Fairfax County. The special one-time grant from Transurban was created last November in honor of the five-year anniversary of the 495 Express Lanes.

“We are excited to support the EMS Bike community partnership with this special grant,” said David Mueller, vice president of operations, Transurban North America. “Their team is a great example of the value in long-term community partnerships that help improve peoples’ lives, which is a value that we share at Transurban, as we work to collaborate and innovate with partners in the Washington, D.C., area and around the world to keep people moving.”

The winners were selected from more than 40 applicants from the region. The grant application was opened to Washington, D.C., area nonprofits, which were invited to partner together on a project or initiative that would benefit their respective communities. The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department entered with a proposal that would enhance their joint EMS Bike Team, which provides swift response for medical emergencies at large, crowded events; in parks; and on trails inaccessible by typical emergency response vehicles.

Participants at the awards ceremony included:

  • Members of the joint EMS Bike Team from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.
  • Sharon Bulova, chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
  • Laurie DiRocco, mayor, Vienna.
  • Jason Jenkins, deputy fire chief, and Willie Bailey, battalion chief of public affairs and community outreach, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
  • John Morrison, volunteer chief, Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.
  • David Mueller, vice president, Transurban.

“Enhancing our joint EMS Bike Team in Fairfax County and the Town of Vienna is a valuable investment for the safety of our residents,” said Sharon Bulova, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. “Thank you to Transurban, and congratulations to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department!”

To qualify for the grant, applicants had to be a nonprofit organization located in the Northern Virginia region whose program benefits the greater community in one of the following categories:

  • Environment — Projects that enhance or protect the environment within the region.
  • Community — Projects that support the health, economic development or well-being of communities within the region.
  • Safety — Projects that support safety initiatives within the region.

“The increasing population, community expansion and numerous mass gatherings throughout Fairfax County bring challenges such as vehicle access limitations that can lead to delayed arrival at a patient’s side,” said Deputy Chief Jason Jenkins, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. “The Transurban partnership is an achievement for Fairfax County first responders and the community we serve, allowing us to provide a rapid response capability during events with large crowds and in densely populated areas.”

Grant funds will be used to strengthen the EMS Bike Team program via additional deployment capacity. This will result in the ability to expand EMS services at community events and on the trails in the county. A greater presence at community events and on trails will decrease the time it takes to reach a patient’s side for medical events occurring within limited-access areas. This will also give the team resources to provide additional patrols and support multiple events simultaneously.

“This grant allows the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Vienna Volunteer Fire Department and other volunteer fire departments within Fairfax County to expand our ability to adapt to the constantly changing transportation challenges of Fairfax County,” said Volunteer Chief John Morrison, Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.

In addition to this one-time grant opportunity, Transurban operates two quarterly grant programs: the Express Lanes Community Grant Program and the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program. Transurban has awarded more than $786,000 to more than 182 Northern Virginia organizations through its grant programs.

For more information on each program, please visit https://www.expresslanes.com/grant-program and https://www.395expresslanes.com/grant-program.

About the Express Lanes

The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on I-495 and I-95, providing drivers with faster and more predictable travel options in Northern Virginia. Together, the 495 and 95 Express Lanes create a region-wide network of free-flowing lanes for over 40 miles from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County. Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of Northern Virginia’s most congested roadways. For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.

About Transurban

For over 20 years, Transurban has improved the quality of life for its customers by providing innovative solutions for their transportation needs. Transurban is a pioneer of the public-private partnership (P3) managed lanes concept in the United States. The North American business was among the first to implement major transportation infrastructures in the Virginia region. Our Express Lanes network features industry-leading tolling and traffic management systems on more than 40 miles of managed lanes across the 495 and 95 Express Lanes. Transurban was one of the first to use a number of innovative financing and technology strategies in the development of major toll road projects.

About the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department

The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department is a community-focused nonprofit volunteer organization. Its sole purpose is to protect and preserve the lives and property of the citizens of the Town of Vienna and Fairfax County in the event of fire, medical and other emergencies.

About the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is dedicated to being a premier community-focused fire and rescue department, thereby ensuring a safe environment for everyone. It also provides the highest-quality services to protect the lives, property and environment of the Northern Virginia community.

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Update: 95 Express Lanes Offer Travel Tips for Memorial Day Weekend and Launch Summer Reversal Schedule

May 21, 2018

Update: The reversal schedule in this press release was updated on 8/6/2018 to reflect the change to the summer reversal schedule for the 95 Express Lanes.

Tysons, Va. – D.C. area drivers should expect heavy traffic on the 95 Express Lanes later this week, according to Transurban, operator of the 495 and 95 Express Lanes, as travelers take to the road for the Memorial Day holiday.  As summer winds down, there will be changes to the I-95 corridor: Beginning Monday, August 6, the 95 Express Lanes and I-395 HOV lanes will start the weekday reversal at 10:30 a.m. instead of 10 a.m.

The early reversal will allow southbound drivers to enter the 95 Express Lanes around noon, relieving congestion on the regular lanes which starts to build earlier in the day during the summer months.  Overnight weekday reversals will continue to take place from about midnight to 2 a.m.  The schedule will be in place throughout the summer.

What to expect on the Lanes and when to travel

To avoid crowded Express Lanes, and the resulting higher tolls, drivers should avoid travel on Thursday or Friday afternoon and evening.

  • Beginning the early afternoon of Thursday, May 24, through the evening of Friday, May 25, drivers traveling along the 95 Express Lanes corridor should expect heavy traffic and increased demand requiring higher toll prices to best manage the traffic on the Lanes.
  • The busiest travel times on the regular I-95 lanes and the 95 Express Lanes before Memorial Day weekend in 2017 were Thursday and Friday between noon and 6 p.m.  Delays were worse on Friday.  Those periods are expected to again face the heaviest travel this year.

95 Express Lanes Memorial Day weekend reversal schedule:

  • Thursday, May 24: Southbound reversal begins one hour earlier at 10 a.m. due to anticipated traffic
  • Friday, May 25: Southbound reversal begins one hour earlier at 10 a.m. as summer reversal schedule goes into effect
  • Saturday, May 26: Normal weekend reversal – Lanes reverse to northbound at 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 27: Northbound Lanes will close around 5 a.m. to support Rolling Thunder.  The Lanes will re-open around 9 a.m.
  • Monday, May 28: Express Lanes northbound all day
  • Tuesday, May 29: Southbound reversal begins around 10 a.m. with Lanes opening by about noon

Remember these tips when traveling on the 95 Express Lanes:

  • A southbound extension of the 95 Express Lanes opened in late-2017. The Lanes now span to just north of Courthouse Road in Stafford County.  Drivers can use the extension at no extra cost
  • Travel advisory signs in the southern part of the Express Lanes will provide drivers with information about any congestion on the Express Lanes
  • Express Assist crews will be available to help drivers who run into issues on the Lanes
  • Riding with family or friends?  If you have at least three total people in your car, don’t forget to put your E-ZPass® FlexSM in HOV mode for a toll-free trip

Stay up to date:

About the Express Lanes

The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on I-495/Capital Beltway and I-95 to provide drivers with faster and more predictable travel options in Northern Virginia.  Together the 495 and 95 Express Lanes create a region-wide network of free-flowing lanes for more than 40 miles from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County.  Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of northern Virginia’s most congested roadways.  For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.

 

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"Toll Roads in Virginia" Web Page Launches to Help Drivers

May 17, 2018

There are many different toll roads, bridges, and tunnels in Virginia that are operated by various organizations. The Toll Roads in Virginia website is a resource from the Virginia Department of Transportation that has basic information to help you understand and navigate all those different toll roads. The website is great help if you’re doing research for an upcoming trip or if you need to pay a toll invoice. A recently added feature is “Pay a Missed Toll” where you can pay if you accidentally missed a toll while driving. Check out everything you need to know about the toll road in Virginia at https://www.tollroadsinvirginia.com/

First Baseman Ryan Zimmerman, Express Lanes and Youth Driving Advocates Reignite Regional Road Safety Campaign

May 10, 2017

Tysons, Va. – Transurban, together with regional transportation partners, launched the Phones Downcampaign last November to address distracted driving in the Greater Washington area.  To continue the conversation about distracted driving, Transurban is partnering with professional first baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the next phase of the Phones Down campaign:  Phones Down. Home Run.  The campaign aims to reach young regional drivers and reinforce the risks of driving distracted before teen drivers take to the road for summer break.  

“No text is worth risking your safety,” said first baseman Ryan Zimmerman. “I am proud to be the face of ‘Phones Down. Home Run. and encourage our region’s young drivers to take the pledge against distracted driving together with Transurban.”

“Transurban serves millions of drivers in the Washington D.C. region and safety is at the forefront of everything we do,” said Jennifer Aument, group general manager, Transurban, operator of the Express Lanes.  “We are excited to partner with Ryan Zimmerman to increase awareness about the risks of driving distracted during Global Youth Traffic Safety Month.”  

Global Youth Traffic Safety Month is an annual campaign held each May, which encourages youth organizations to engage in traffic safety projects in their local communities. Each day in the United States more than eight people are killed and 1,161 are injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. Nearly 60 percent of teen crashes involved distractions behind the wheel.

“Distracted driving is one of the top safety issues on Virginia roads,” said Larry Cloyed, Express Lanes Manager, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). “VDOT is proud to partner on the Phones Down. Home Run. campaign to encourage young drivers to take the pledge to drive distraction-free.”

“Trauma is the third leading cause of death in the United States – and the most preventable.  I am proud to be a part of the Phones Down. Home Run campaign to educate teen drivers and help prevent the tragedies that result from distracted driving,” said Linda Watkins, injury prevention and outreach coordinator, Inova Trauma Services.  “There is nothing more important than the safety of these young drivers.”

The Campaign

The Phones Down. Home Run. campaign, sponsored by Transurban, will deliver an anti-distracted driving message from Ryan Zimmerman to more than 1 million local young drivers and their parents by using online advertising, social media promotion and the voices of local parenting bloggers to spread safe driving reminders that feature Zimmerman.  Drivers are encouraged to visit PhonesDownHomeRun.com to take a safe-driving pledge and receive access to shareable graphic content featuring Zimmerman.

“With summer around the corner, it is so important that teens hear this anti-distracted driving message,” said Richard Shahan, project manager, Partners for Safe Teen Driving.  “Our mission is to enable communities to give parents the information and tools they need to help their teens become safe drivers.  We are excited to be a part of this safe driving campaign and encourage all young motorists to take the pledge not to drive distracted.”

About the Express Lanes

The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on the Capital Beltway and I-95 to provide drivers with faster and more predictable travel options in Northern Virginia. Together the 495 and 95 Express Lanes create a region-wide network of free-flowing lanes for more than 40 miles from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County.  Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of northern Virginia’s most congested roadways.  For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.

About Transurban

Transurban manages and develops urban toll road networks in the United States and Australia.  We partner with governments to meet the long-term transportation needs of communities — developing sustainable, safe, innovative and efficient projects.  Transurban operates the 495 and 95 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia.  For more information, please visit transurban.com.  

 

 

 

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VDOT to Launch Study to Extend I-495 Express Lanes Toward American Legion Bridge and Maryland Line

April 19, 2018

 
RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia's Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved funding in the amount of $6 million Wednesday for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to conduct an environmental study of a plan to extend the I-495 Express Lanes by approximately three miles from the I-495 and Dulles Toll Road interchange to the vicinity of the American Legion Bridge and Maryland line. This northern extension to the 495 Express Lanes would help relieve a traffic-choked section of I-495 by providing more capacity, new travel choices and benefits for carpoolers.
 
According to Virginia Transportation Secretary Shannon Valentine, "This is a regional problem that requires a regional solution. We are pleased to begin our efforts to formally study bringing transportation improvements to this area, and look forward to working in partnership with Maryland, as they too work to find the best solutions for this challenging traffic area."
 
Virginia's I-495 Northern Express Lanes Extension study, also referred to as 495 NEXT, will be developed as an independent, stand-alone project that will be closely coordinated and compatible with plans for the I-495 Capital Beltway in Maryland. The full scope of improvements will be refined over the coming months.
 
The environmental study, which will be completed according to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), will evaluate site-specific conditions and potential effects the proposed improvements may have on air quality, noise, neighborhoods, parks, recreation areas, historic properties, wetlands and streams, and other resources. The study will begin this month and is expected to be completed in 2019.
 
The public will have their first opportunity to learn more about the proposed project and upcoming study at a public information meeting scheduled for Monday, June 11, 2018 at Cooper Middle School in McLean.
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Startups Participating in 1776 and Transurban Smart Highways Challenge Deliver Final Project Pitches

December 13, 2017

Arlington, Va. — Today, the six-month 1776 and Transurban Smart Highways Challenge and Innovation lab program culminated in a “demonstration day.” Six startup companies delivered presentations outlining opportunities to improve the roads managed by Transurban.
  
Following the presentations, judges from Transurban questioned the teams about their products and services and how the solutions could integrate into Transurban’s roadway networks. 
 
“Transurban and 1776 launched this partnership to drive innovation and empower startups to introduce new ideas aimed at improving transportation networks for the traveling public and regional economies,” said Leigh Petschel, Vice President of Operations for Transurban. “We thank each startup for their efforts and look forward to advancing programs to strengthen traffic management on Virginia roads.”
 
Transurban will conduct an evaluation of the pitches and announce the winning partnerships in early 2018. 
 
"The Smart Highways Challenge illustrates that the global startup ecosystem can be a rich source of ideas and solutions for complex industries like transportation. Collaboration between startups with established companies like Transurban can make all the difference in building a stronger business and remaining competitive," said Evan Burfield, Cofounder and Chairman of 1776. "We are thrilled to have partnered with Transurban and the six participating startups to develop their ideas further and find new ways to foster their work together to improve highways." 
 
The startup teams offered solutions to transportations challenges in the following three areas:
  • Vehicle monitoring: products for monitoring roads, tolls, and vehicles
  • Smart transportation: products that utilize cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, or robotics in building vehicles
  • Road safety: products and tools that build more resilient vehicles, predict traffic and driver behavior, and create a safer road environment.
The demonstration day marks the end of a 90-day incubation period that provided startups with resources to test their products, consult with Transurban’s transportation experts and receive mentorship from 1776 to grow their companies. 
 
The startups were selected to participate in the Innovation Lab in June following their successful applications to the Transurban Challenge. 1776 hosted the winners at their Crystal City campus for the Innovation Lab.  
 
About Transurban
 
Transurban is a pioneer of the public-private partnership (P3) managed lanes concept in the United States. Our North American business was among the pioneers of public-private partnerships for major transportation infrastructure in the Virginia region. Our Express Lanes network features industry-leading tolling and traffic management systems on more than 40 miles of managed lanes across the 495 and 95 Express Lanes. Transurban was one of the first to use a number of innovative financing and technology strategies in the development of major toll road projects.
 
About 1776
1776 is the Northeast corridor’s largest network of entrepreneurial incubators with 11 campuses in 4 states and the District of Columbia. We are a next-generation incubator serving a community of bold entrepreneurs and companies impacting their ecosystems.
 
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Governor McAuliffe Announces Deal to Deliver 95 Express Lanes Extension and Provide $277M for Additional Upgrades to the 95 Corridor

January 10, 2018

Richmond, Va. – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that the Commonwealth has accepted Transurban’s proposal to deliver the extension of the 95 Express Lanes south to Fredericksburg.

“When I took office four years ago, I made a commitment to radically change how we do transportation in Virginia,” said Governor McAuliffe.  “Virginians spent $300 million on the U.S. Route 460 project that was never built, because state officials negotiated a poor contract.  Today, I am pleased to announce the Commonwealth has accepted a proposal from Transurban to build the 95 Express Lanes extension 10 miles south of Route 17 in Fredericksburg.  This deal will not require any upfront taxpayer investment for construction, and will provide $277 million by the time the express lanes are open that will be invested in the corridor to advance critical transportation projects.”

This project is a part of the Atlantic Gateway initiative to improve travel along the 95 Corridor.  With this announcement, the initiative has been expanded to include the Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing, which is a major priority of the Fredericksburg region.  In 2022, the 95 corridor from the Potomac River to Fredericksburg will be upgraded.  The initiative was made possible through partnerships with the private sector and a grant from the federal government.

“This project addresses an area that traffic data company, INRIX, named ‘worst traffic hot spot’ in the nation,” said Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne.  “Expanding the Express Lanes 10 miles south will bring much-needed relief from the existing bottlenecks along the I-95 corridor, improve reliability for commuters and freight, enhance road safety and set up the regional economy for future growth.”

The 95 Express Lanes, together with the 395 Express Lanes will provide travel choices and reliable, uninterrupted travel for 50 miles in one of the most congested corridors in the nation.  They will also link into the larger regional network of Express Lanes in Northern Virginia on the 495 and 66 corridors.

“Transurban is pleased to continue its long-term partnership with the department to bring congestion relief and extend travel options to the growing Fredericksburg region,” said Jennifer Aument, President, North America, Transurban.  “The project, together with the 395 Express Lanes, will provide reliable, uninterrupted travel for 50 miles in one of the most congested corridors in the nation.”

Construction is expected to begin in the Spring of 2019 with the facility slated to open in fall 2022.

The following are key features of the project:

  • Ten miles of new two-lane reversible Express Lanes (with full shoulders) from the existing southern terminus at Route 610 to Route 17 North (Exit 143 to Exit 133) and approximately 1.5 miles of an additional reversible Express Lane within the existing 95 Express Lanes south of Garrisonville Road (Route 610)
  • New Express Lanes access points, including flyover ramps at the Route 17 terminus and Quantico area and a direct, reversible ramp connection at (Old) Courthouse Road
  • Seven new bridge structures:

o    Express Lanes mainline across Potomac Creek

o    Northbound general purpose (GP) lanes flyover entrance to Express Lanes north of Route 17

o    Northbound Express Lanes flyover exit to GP lanes and Russell Road

o    Southbound GP lanes flyover entrance to Express Lanes south of Russell Road

o    Southbound Express Lanes flyover to GP lanes and Route 17 at Southern Terminus

o    American Legion Road overpass (demolish and rebuild existing structure)

o    Truslow Road overpass (demolish and rebuild existing structure)

·         Interface and direct connection with the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Rappahannock River Crossing – Southbound Project, including a new general-purpose lane exit ramp at Route 17

·         All-electronic tolling with same rules as 95 Express Lanes

For more information, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/fredericksburg/i-95_express_lanes_fredericksburg_extension.asp.

Driver reminders and resources for I-66 Express Lanes Inside the Beltway

December 4, 2017

The I-66 Express Lanes Inside the Beltway (ITB) are now open.  For your safety, please travel cautiously and be aware of changing traffic patterns. 

Remember, the rules on the I-66 Express Lanes ITB differ from the 495 and 95 Express Lanes.

For carpools traveling on the 495 and 66 Express Lanes: If you are traveling on the I-66 Express Lanes ITB with 2 people in the car with your E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode, do not forget to switch your E-ZPass Flex off of HOV mode before you exit onto the 495 Express Lanes. Otherwise, you could be stopped by Virginia State Police enforcing the HOV-3 requirements.

Here are a few other important reminders:

Questions I-66 Express Lanes Inside the Beltway 495 and 95 Express Lanes
Who operates the road? VDOT Transurban
How do I reach customer service with questions? 66ExpressLanes.org/contact or 1-877-762-7824 customercare@expresslanes.com or 1-855-495-9777
Where can I get more information or pay missed tolls? 66ExpressLanes.org ExpressLanes.com
How many people do I need in the vehicle, including the driver, to qualify as HOV? 2 3
When are the HOV rules in effect? When do I need an E-ZPass in my vehicle to use the Lanes?

Eastbound 5:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Westbound 3 to 7 p.m.

 At all times
How do I get HOV free travel? Use an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode with the right number of people in the car.  Use an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode with the right number of people in the car. 

 

Virginia Transportation Leaders Launch Fair Travel Program to Educate 495 and 95 Express Lanes High-Occupancy Vehicle Drivers

November 27, 2017

Tysons, Va. -- Transurban, the operator of the 495 and 95 Express Lanes, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia State Police today announced the launch of the Fair Travel Program to educate high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) drivers who use the 495 and 95 Express Lanes on the proper use of E-ZPass and E-ZPass Flex transponders and HOV requirements. The program will include customer education and enhanced enforcement on the Express Lanes.
 
“We are committed to ensuring a fair, safe and reliable travel experience on the Express Lanes for our customers,” said Leigh Petschel, Vice President of Operations at Transurban. “Through the Fair Travel Program, we want to remind our customers of the HOV rules on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes, as well as offer tips on how to correctly use the E-ZPass Flex.”
 
The program will launch prior to the opening of VDOT’s I-66 inside the Beltway Express Lanes project, as a way of helping new E-ZPass customers familiarize themselves with the E-ZPass Flex and the differences from the standard E-ZPass transponder.
 
Enhanced enforcement of HOV violations is an additional component of the program because violators who falsely claim to be HOV on the Express Lanes can contribute to increasing toll prices for those drivers who do comply with HOV regulations and choose to pay to use the Express Lanes. Troopers issued 43 citations during a recent enforcement blitz initiative conducted in the Express Lanes.
 
Key elements of the program will include:
 
  • Educational emails issued to E-ZPass Flex customers
  • Letters to customers who travel in HOV mode on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes
  • Social media campaign advising on how to properly use E-ZPass and the rules of the road
  • Advisory messages on dynamic message signs along the Express Lanes corridor
  • Increased Virginia State Police presence in the Express Lanes with focus on HOV enforcement
  • Enforcement system improvements, including new cameras and deploying handheld E-ZPass readers to aid Virginia State Police troopers while enforcing violations and providing patrol to promote highway safety
  • Educational materials for troopers to provide to drivers who are stopped for related infractions
“Virginia is a leader in offering innovative transportation solutions such as managed express lanes to provide travel options, promote carpooling and transit use, and improve regional mobility,” David Caudill, Tolling Division Administrator at VDOT. “The success of express and HOV lane facilities depends upon motorists correctly using their E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex and following the HOV rules. The Fair Travel Program will support awareness about HOV rules and promote compliance on the Express Lanes.”
 
“Troopers not only patrol the Express Lanes each day to keep drivers safe and respond to incidents, but to also detect and deter violators,” said Captain James E. De Ford Sr., Virginia State Police Fairfax Division Commander. “With more than 80,000 vehicles coming and going daily, this program will reinforce to violators that our troopers are on the road and able to ensure drivers are correctly using the Express Lanes.”

Transurban Celebrates 5-Year Anniversary of 495 Express Lanes with $5,000 in Free Travel Giveaways, $10,000 Community Grant

November 17, 2017

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2017 — Transurban, operator of the 495 and 95 Express Lanes, is celebrating the fifth anniversary of the 495 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia by launching a travel giveaway of $5,000 in free travel prizes and a special $10,000 community grant. The 495 Express Lanes have provided a broad range of benefits to the region over the past five years of operations, as well as faster and more predictable travel for buses, carpoolers and drivers. Since year one, the 495 Express Lanes have attracted many area commuters, supporting a four-fold increase in carpool trips and 75 percent increase in bus trips. Travelers on the 495 Express Lanes today enjoy on average 23 minutes of time savings during rush hour commute1, and drivers on the regular 495 lanes benefit as well — with northbound morning rush hour traffic travel times improving by 8 percent.

“Today we celebrate five years of helping our customers on the Beltway make it to a meeting on time, get home for dinner with family and travel to work without the anxiety that comes with hitting an unexpected traffic jam,” said Jennifer Aument, group general manager of Transurban North America. “Whether they pay tolls, ride in a bus or carpool, we value all our customers and look forward to working with our partners at VDOT to continually find new ways to provide them with a better Beltway in the years to come.”

Transurban commemorated the fifth anniversary of the 495 Express Lanes this morning at Tysons Corner Center with the help of Santa and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Tysons Corner Station 29, which gave Santa a ride up the Express Lanes to celebrate the important transportation project milestone. Santa took one of the first rides on the 495 Express Lanes when they opened to the public in November 2012.

5 Years of Benefits for Drivers and the Community

Highlights of the broad range of benefits that the 495 Express Lanes project has provided to travelers and the entire community over the past five years include:

Regional benefits during construction:

  • Generated $3.5 billion in economic activity.
  • $2 billion in transportation improvements.
  • $548.3 million in contracts to DBE/SWaM companies.
  • Replacement of $260 million in aging infrastructure.
  • 16,000 jobs.

Traveler benefits:

  • Over the past five years, more area travelers have enjoyed the benefits of a faster, more reliable commute. The Lanes have served more than 3,500,000 customers taking more than 67,000,000 trips.
  • 23 minutes is the average time savings on 495 Express Lanes during rush hour commute2.
  • Travel times have improved by 8 percent on regular lanes during northbound morning rush hour.
  • Eight out of 10 drivers in the D.C. region believe the Express Lanes network benefits the area.
  • Five million hours of time were saved by 495 Express Lanes customers over the past five years.

Community benefits:

  • $450,000 in community grants awarded by Transurban to D.C. area organizations.
  • Supported community projects such as new bike racks, elementary school environmental programs, local neighborhood enhancements, homeless shelter programs and local park cleanups.
  • Nearly $80,000 donated to local fire and rescue departments through the Drive to Donate program.
  • Annual support of Bike to Work Day.
  • Anti-distracted driving safety programs.
  • Better transit service on the Beltway.
  • Employee community volunteering programs.

‘A Better Beltway’ Giveaway

As a thank-you to customers, Transurban is giving away $50 of free Express Lanes travel to each of 100 lucky customers. Customers can register for a chance to win online at ExpressLanes.com/anniversary-contest starting November 17. The contest will run until December 1. Winners will be randomly chosen on Monday, December 4, and will be notified by email within two days. The $50 of free travel will be applied toward their future 495 and 95 Express Lanes trips.

495 Express Lanes 5th Anniversary Community Grant

Transurban will be announcing a special $10,000 community grant in honor of the project’s five-year milestone and community engagement. In honor of the partnership it took to deliver the 495 Express Lanes project, two or more community organizations will need to apply together for the grant and showcase how they will work together on a specific project or initiative. Applications will be open from December 1-January 31, with winning recipient(s) notified and announced in February. Application forms will be available on ExpressLanes.com starting December 1.

About the Express Lanes

The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on I-495/Capital Beltway and I-95, providing drivers with faster and more predictable travel options in Northern Virginia. Together, the 495 and 95 Express Lanes create a region-wide network of free-flowing lanes for approximately 40 miles, from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County. Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of northern Virginia’s most congested roadways. For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.

About Transurban

Transurban is a pioneer of the public-private partnership (P3) managed lanes concept in the United States. Our North American business was among the pioneers of public-private partnerships for major transportation infrastructure in the Virginia region. Our Express Lanes network features industry-leading tolling and traffic management systems on more than 40 miles of managed lanes across the 495 and 95 Express Lanes. Transurban was one of the first to use a number of innovative financing and technology strategies in the development of major toll road projects.

Media contacts:

Mike McGurk, Transurban 571-421-5364, mmcgurk@transurban.com

Kristina Messner, Focused Image (for Transurban) 703-678-6023, kmessner@focusedimage.com

 

1 Sept 2017 quarter

2 Sept 2017 quarter

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