95/395 Express Lanes Reversal Schedule for 2022 Holiday Season
December 20, 2022
The reversal schedule for the 95 and 395 Express Lanes will be adjusted during the holiday season to support travelers in late-December and early-January.
The schedule:
- Thur., 12/22: Early reversal to southbound starts at 10 a.m., Lanes open by about noon
- Fri., 12/23: Early reversal to southbound starts at 10 a.m. Lanes open by about noon
- Sat., 12/24: Southbound all day
- Sun., 12/25: Southbound all day
- Mon., 12/26: Reversal to northbound starts at 12 a.m., Lanes open by about 2 a.m.
- Fri., 12:30: Early reversal to southbound starts at 10 a.m., Lanes open by about noon
- Sat., 1/1: Southbound all day
- Sun., 1/2: Reversal to northbound starts at 12 a.m., Lanes open by about 2 a.m.
Important info for drivers who travel I-66 east to the 495 Express Lanes
April 21, 2023
The express version
- From I-66 eastbound, follow signs that say "TOLL, EXPRESS LANES ENTRANCE" to get to the 495 Express Lanes
- The new entry ramp is on the right side of I-66, about one mile after Nutley St.
- Drivers must get on the 66 express lanes for a short trip to get to the 495 Express Lanes' entrance
The opening of the 66 express lanes in November 2022 introduced changes for customers who travel the 495 Express Lanes from eastbound I-66.
A new way to get on the 495 Express Lanes
To get onto the 495 Express Lanes, drivers will need to use a new, earlier exit ramp on the right side of I-66, about one mile after the Nutley Street exit.
Click the video below to learn more:
Follow the signs
As you drive on I-66, look for signs that say “TOLL, TO 495 EXPRESS LANES, USE 66 EXPRESS LANES, NEXT EXIT” and then “TOLL, EXPRESS LANES ENTRANCE.”
The new ramp will take drivers onto the 66 express lanes for a short period before reaching the prior exit on the left side that leads to both the northbound and southbound 495 Express Lanes.
New toll charges
A different operator manages the 66 express lanes, and they also charge a dynamic toll rate. Look for the words “495 EXPRESS LANES” and the current rate. Two charges will show on an E-ZPass statement.
Rates for the 66 express lanes can be viewed here: https://ride66express.com/plan-your-trip/. Select eastbound as the direction, find the starting point called “EB Braided Ramp” and for the ending point, use I-495 Express Lanes.
Getting to the best route for you
Change your mind about taking our Lanes? Not to worry — you can still get to the regular, free I-495 northbound and southbound lanes, or continue to I-66 inside the Beltway, after taking the new ramp.
I-95 NORTHBOUND MEGA WORK ZONE IN FREDERICKSBURG AREA EXTENDED TO DEC 8
November 30, 2022
The express version
- Drivers are advised to avoid I-95 in the Fredericksburg area
- Lane closures and temporary traffic patterns are needed during this time to support the opening of a new interstate bridge over the Rappahannock River
Transurban Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Virginia Express Lanes
November 17, 2022
Today, Transurban North America celebrates 10 years since the 495 Express Lanes opened in November 2012 as the first truly dynamically-priced managed lanes system in the United States. Delivered as a public-private partnership (P3) with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the 14-mile initial segment has grown to a 65-mile system of Express Lanes operated or under development by Transurban. Over the decade, the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes have saved nearly 10 million Greater Washington Area (GWA) customers more than 33 million hours of time in one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S.
"Investments in Virginia’s best-in-class transportation networks do more than just modernize physical infrastructure,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller. “Virginia sees a return for each dollar we, or the private sector, delivers that translates to a stronger, more competitive economy. Since the Express Lanes opened, more businesses have chosen Northern Virginia to bring their jobs, more educational institutions have expanded to educate our students, and more travelers have reached their destinations on a network of reliable and expanded travel choices.”
The $4 billion private-sector investment in expanded transportation choices, including Express Lanes on 495, 95 and 395, has bolstered the local economy, creating an estimated 53,000 jobs and $8 billion in economic activity that includes the growth of existing businesses and the attraction of some of the world’s largest employers. Transurban’s Express Lanes projects have also invested nearly $1 billion in Disabled Business Enterprises (DBE) and Small, Women- and Minority-Owned (SWaM) businesses in Virginia.
The 495 Express Lanes delivered a high-tech, first of its kind roadway to reduce congestion and provide new travel choices along one of the nation’s busiest corridors. The project was made possible through an innovative combination of financing tools, including the first time the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program and Private Activity Bonds were used to deliver a high impact P3 further enabled by one of the largest private sector investments in a U.S. P3 greenfield project at the time.
“More than 10 years ago, we started a journey alongside Virginia leaders to introduce a new way to travel, putting technology to work to unlock congestion and tangibly improve the quality of life of travelers in this region,” said Pierce Coffee, president, Transurban North America. “Today, we celebrate this partnership that is giving more people more time back in their day through choice and convenience. I thank those at the Virginia Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and all of our construction and community partners for their support that enabled this future ready network.”
The Express Lanes use more than 2,000 on-road data points per mile to keep traffic moving at free-flowing conditions. Cutting-edge traffic management and safety monitoring technology is deployed across the system of Lanes, including the use of automated incident detection and ramp metering sensors that identify both live traffic issues and emerging traffic patterns. A rapid incident response capability also enables teams to respond to customer incidents on the road in eight minutes on average, reducing delays and improving overall safety. Over the past decade, Transurban’s Express Lanes have maintained 55 miles per hour on average more than 99% of the time – all at an average trip cost under $8.
The 495 Express Lanes also introduced the first ridesharing, carpooling and bus transit incentive on the Capital Beltway that prioritized the movement of more people over more vehicles. The result has been the movement of an additional 50,000 people through the Springfield to Tysons segment each day and a 105% growth in both carpooling and bus use across the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes system.
Transurban has also committed to more than $15 million in annual funding from toll revenue to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission’s (NVTC) Commuter Choice program to invest in transit along the 395/95 corridor. Through NVTC’s efforts, the toll revenues have funded expanded Park and Ride lots, new and enhanced bus routes, and associated bus fleet expansions. These investments in turn have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 67% relative to driving alone for comparable trips and supported 1.4 million more trips through the 395/95 corridor by transit and other alternatives to driving alone since the program launched in 2019.
“NVTC’s innovative Commuter Choice program has demonstrated measurable reductions in the number of people driving alone and harmful vehicle emissions by providing incentives for people to find new ways to ride to where they want to go,” said Kate Mattice, executive director of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. “Commuter Choice funded projects benefit the entire region by reducing traffic congestion and taking the stress out of navigating our busy roads and highways”
Transurban’s partnership with the Commonwealth has also helped deliver additional resources and infrastructure to meet important infrastructure priorities and accelerate the delivery of public infrastructure, including:
- A new fourth regular lane on I-395 and upgrades to the transit center at the Pentagon through the 395 Express Lanes project.
- Hundreds of millions of dollars in future revenue sharing brought forward from the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension (Fred Ex) project to help advance the Northbound Rappahannock River Bridge project and the Long Bridge rail project.
- A three-mile bike and pedestrian trail for Fairfax County’s long-range plan will be delivered as part of the 495 North Extension project (495 NEXT), along with the restoration of Scott’s Run stream.
To further support local communities along its corridors, Transurban launched its Express Lanes Community Grant program more than a decade ago to reduce impacts of its projects and provide investments to improve the long-term health, vitality and sustainability of local neighborhoods. The grant program has provided funding to more than 350 local Northern Virginia non-profits. To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Lanes, Transurban last week announced a donation of $25,000 to create a dedicated military and veteran fund for Northern Virginia Community College’s (NOVA) Student Success Fund. The contribution will provide NOVA’s 4,000 veteran and military students along Transurban’s corridors with emergency grants and scholarships to support their continuous education. The donation builds on Transurban’s long-standing commitment to veterans, military and government employees across the region including organizations like the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Fund, Virginia Star Quilts for Valor, and Workhouse Arts Center arts programs for wounded soldiers.
In commemoration of the Anniversary, Transurban has released a report detailing the significant impact the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes have had in transforming the region. In addition to the report, the annual State of the Lanes polling research that provides insights on how customers continue to value the expanded travel choices of the Express Lanes is being released. After an unprecedented shift to work-from-home, more area drivers are back on the road and the Express Lanes remain popular.
New research finds:
- 76% overall customer satisfaction
- Nearly 3 in 4 GWA drivers have used the Express Lanes, up from 62% in 2021
- Nearly 7 in 10 drivers (69%) see a regional benefit from the Express Lanes
- Drivers are more likely to say they have carpooled for free vs. paid a toll to travel the Lanes at least once a month in the last 6 months – 54% vs. 47%
Building on the success of the Express Lanes, Transurban and VDOT are currently progressing an additional 12.5 miles of Express Lanes extensions. Fred Ex will deliver an additional 10 miles to the nation’s longest reversible system of Express Lanes in the U.S. by late 2023. Fred Ex will provide 66% more capacity during peak periods and will move 30% more people and 23% more vehicles. Construction also recently began on a 2.5-mile extension of 495 NEXT that will deliver new and expanded connections to the Dulles Toll Road and the George Washington Memorial Parkway. 495 NEXT provides an option for faster, more reliable travel – reducing commuting times by 50% during rush hour for those who choose to use the Express Lanes. Transurban was recently selected by Maryland to advance predevelopment works for the New American Legion Bridge I-270 Traffic Relief plan Express Lanes, which is envisioned to extend the benefits of the Express Lanes across the I-270 corridor including the replacement of the aging American Legion Bridge.
As a roadway of firsts, Transurban continues to innovate to deliver the next generation of travel across its multidecade partnership with Virginia including the development of safer, more connected and automated infrastructure. Following a partnership with Federal Highway Administration to trial Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, Transurban is partnering with Robotics Research – a Maryland-based national leader in automated technology – to test how automated buses can interact with infrastructure. Using propriety software and Transurban’s data rich roadways, trials will provide buses expanded range of information beyond their sensors to travel safer and more efficiently with live demonstrations in 2023.
For more information and to download the report visit www.tenyearsofexpresslanes.com
New travel patterns to and from the 495 Express Lanes and I-66
November 14, 2022
The express version
- To go from I-66 eastbound to the 495 Express Lanes, keep right to use the new exit ramp
- To go from the 495 Express Lanes to the I-66 westbound regular lanes, keep right after taking the usual exit ramp
From I-66 east to 495 Express Lanes
Drivers on I-66 eastbound in northern Virginia who want to enter the 495 Express Lanes will begin using a new flyover ramp starting Tuesday night, Nov. 15.
The new ramp is located on the right side of I-66 after the Cedar Lane Bridge, about one mile after the Nutley Street exit. It will replace the long-standing entry ramp located on the left side of I-66 near the center of the I-66/I-495 interchange.
From the 495 Express Lanes to the I-66 west regular lanes
And, for customers on the northbound 495 Express Lanes heading to the regular lanes on I-66 westbound, a new configuration on the exit ramp will go into effect on Nov. 14. Take the usual exit ramp from the 495 Express Lanes to I-66, but keep to the right instead of the left. The new ramp will loop over I-66 to put travelers onto the westbound lanes.
As always, follow the on-road exit signs and remember to use extra caution as traffic patterns adjust to the new flow.
Plan Ahead: New Vertical Clearance for American Legion Road Overpass in Stafford, VA Beginning September 26
September 22, 2022
Starting September 26, weather permitting, the American Legion Road Overpass will have a new, reduced vertical clearance of 15 feet 2 inches. The vertical clearance reduction is due to an upcoming traffic shift that is set to occur in the coming months. This change will only impact over-height vehicles traveling on I-95 South.
Message boards will be posted next week to warn oversize vehicles of the new clearance and to access exit 140 (Courthouse Road) and travel on Route 1 to avoid a bridge strike.
Crews are widening the general-purpose travel lanes near the American Legion Road overpass work zone to shift all southbound traffic to a new alignment. Once southbound traffic is shifted to the right of the existing lanes, the temporary height restriction will no longer be needed. The restriction is expected to be removed in early December.
About the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension Project
To make traveling through the I-95 corridor in Stafford County easier and faster, the Fredericksburg Extension (Fred Ex) will pick up where the 95 Express Lanes currently end and will extend 10 miles south near Fredericksburg, VA. The lengthened lanes will connect with the 395 Express Lanes to create a connected corridor spanning nearly 50 miles from the Fredericksburg area to the D.C. line.
This project will also offer new access points to the existing 95 Express Lanes, create new ramps that provide direct access to Quantico and Courthouse Road, and add seven new bridges. When the Fred Ex project is completed, it will connect with the 395 Express Lanes, offering drivers an uninterrupted Express Lanes corridor between the Potomac River and near the Rappahannock River.
More information on the Fred Ex project and 95 Express Lanes is available at www.expresslanes.com.
Plan Ahead: Overnight Stoppages Near American Legion Road Overpass in Stafford, VA Beginning September 26
September 22, 2022
Overnight construction on I-95 South to lift and install bridge beams for a replacement American Legion Road overpass is scheduled for September 26-28. Intermittent full traffic stops are scheduled between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. with each stop lasting up to 30 minutes at a time. Overnight construction on I-95 North to lift and install bridge beams for a replacement American Legion Road overpass is scheduled for October 3-5. Intermittent full traffic stops are scheduled between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. with each stop lasting up to 30 minutes at a time. Travelers are advised to plan ahead and reroute their travel to avoid delays from the intermittent stoppages.
*Tentatively scheduled for September 26- September 28 and October 3-October 5.
Visit www.expresslanes.com/news-and-alerts for detour and up-to-date road closure information.
About the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension Project
To make traveling through the I-95 corridor in Stafford County easier and faster, the Fredericksburg Extension (Fred Ex) will pick up where the 95 Express Lanes currently end and will extend 10 miles south near Fredericksburg, VA. The lengthened lanes will connect with the 395 Express Lanes to create a connected corridor spanning nearly 50 miles from the Fredericksburg area to the D.C. line.
This project will also offer new access points to the existing 95 Express Lanes, create new ramps that provide direct access to Quantico and Courthouse Road, and add seven new bridges. When the Fred Ex project is completed, it will connect with the 395 Express Lanes, offering drivers an uninterrupted Express Lanes corridor between the Potomac River and near the Rappahannock River.
More information on the Fred Ex project and 95 Express Lanes is available at www.expresslanes.com.
Local Transportation Safety Advocates to Host Free Car Seat Inspection Event
September 22, 2022
The express version
- Transurban, Safe Kids Fairfax County and State Farm Agent Kenya Z. Knight to provide a vital service to families in the greater Mount Vernon region
- Event announced in recognition of National Child Passenger Safety Week
Transurban, the operator of the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes, Safe Kids Fairfax County and State Farm Agent Kenya Z. Knight today announced they are hosting a free Child Passenger Seat (CPS) safety check on Thursday, October 6, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Gum Springs Community Center in the 95 Express Lanes corridor.
The event will leverage a community partnership between transportation, healthcare and insurance companies to expand the reach of free CPS inspections, typically offered by first responders. The partners aim to help children in Fairfax County stay safe while in the car by educating parents and caregivers.
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will deliver a range of services at the event:
- Inspect – and if necessary, adjust – car and booster seats already installed in vehicles,
- Ensure settings and positioning are appropriate for the child passenger who rides in the seat,
- Provide hands-on assistance to help finalize the installation of new seats, and
- Educate parents and caregivers on proper seat usage throughout age groups.
Transurban also announced it will donate resources for the checkup event that will help to keep the youngest citizens in Fairfax County safe. From infant to preteen, these free resources will provide local families with hundreds of years of child passenger protection.
“Working together to improve road safety strengthens the communities we serve, which is core to Transurban’s mission,” said Amanda Baxter, senior vice president, Virginia market and operations at Transurban North America. “By collaborating with community partners like Safe Kids Fairfax County and State Farm Agent Kenya Knight, we can support our neighbors with resources to protect children on the road.”
Research from Transurban finds that 74% of people in the Greater Washington Area are driving with self-installed car seats or boosters — critical child safety products that haven’t been placed or inspected by a certified technician. This is especially concerning since 46% of car and booster seats are used incorrectly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“We appreciate Transurban’s investment in child passenger safety, adding to our common goal of keeping our kids safe,” said Linda Watkins, Safe Kids Fairfax County Coalition Coordinator. “With Transurban’s and State Farm’s generous contributions, we are supporting our communities with awareness, education and tangible change.”
“State Farm is excited to contribute child seat inspections for the CPS safety check, building on our commitment to safety and community,” said Kenya Knight, State Farm Insurance Agent. “Following Child Passenger Safety Week, we are excited to continue the momentum with seat safety checks and educational resources.”
The Gum Springs Community Center is located at 8100 Fordson Road in Alexandria.
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About the Express Lanes operated by Transurban
The 395, 95, and 495 Express Lanes provide drivers in Northern Virginia with faster and more predictable travel options. The Express Lanes stretch more than 53 miles through northern Virginia. Thanks to a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on the region’s most congested roadways.
About Safe Kids
Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to protect kids from preventable injuries, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Safe Kids works with an extensive network of more than 400 coalitions in the U.S., including Fairfax County, and with partners in more than 30 countries to reduce traffic injuries, drownings, falls, burns, poisonings, and more. Safe Kids also engages in advocacy efforts to make kids safer at the federal, state, and local levels. Since 1988, Safe Kids has helped reduce the U.S. childhood death rate from unintentional injury by nearly 60 percent. Learn more at SafeKids.org
About State Farm
For 100 years, the mission of State Farm has been and continues to be to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. For more information, please visit StateFarm.com
High Occupancy Vehicle Restriction on 395 Express Lanes Seminary Road Ramp to Lift September 9
August 25, 2022
The express version
- The south-facing, reversible HOV ramp connecting the 395 Express Lanes to Seminary Road in Alexandria will convert to a standard express lane, or High Occupancy Toll, ramp on Friday, September 9
- Converting the ramp will offer vehicles who are traveling with fewer than three people the option to pay a toll to use it
- Vanpool and carpool customers with an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV ON, buses and motorcycles will continue to enjoy toll-free use of the ramp
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Transurban, operator of the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes, today announced the south-facing, reversible HOV ramp connecting the 395 Express Lanes to Seminary Road in Alexandria will convert to a standard express lane, or High Occupancy Toll, ramp on Friday, September 9.
Converting the ramp will offer vehicles who are traveling with fewer than three people the option to pay a toll to exit to Seminary Road from the northbound 395 Express Lanes, or to enter the southbound Lanes from Seminary Road.
Dynamic message signs currently installed on Seminary Road will display real-time toll prices to destinations available from the ramp beginning September 9.
Vanpool and carpool customers with an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV ON, buses and motorcycles will continue to enjoy toll-free use of the ramp.
Work to replace the ramp’s on-road HOV regulatory signage and pavement markers with Express Lanes regulatory visuals will require temporary lane closures and shifts. Overnight work along the Express Lanes corridor is scheduled to begin the weekend of August 26 and a temporary traffic shift on Seminary Road is scheduled for August 29 and 30.
The ramp’s HOV-3+ restriction has been in effect since the 395 Express Lanes opened in November 2019. It is the only ramp along the Express Lanes corridor closed to toll-paying customers.
The ramp conversion project is being delivered in partnership by VDOT and Transurban. VDOT is providing oversight, while Transurban is responsible for design, implementation and maintenance.
The first public information meeting about the potential ramp conversion was held in December 2019, however, the project was put on hold in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. VDOT later held another virtual public meeting in December 2021. Following the public comment period, the Commonwealth Transportation Board approved the conversion in January 2022.
95 Express Lanes Overnight Closure for Joint Repairs
August 12, 2022
The express version
- 95 Express Lanes from near Route 289 to near Edsall Road will close all Lanes overnight August 16
- Overnight on Aug. 16, northbound customers will be detoured to regular lanes just before Route 644
- Southbound customers will be detoured to regular lanes just before Edsall Road
A span of the 95 Express Lanes from near Route 289 in Springfield to the start of the 395 Express Lanes near Edsall Road in Alexandria will fully close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, August 16, to Wednesday, August 17, for joint repairs.
During the same overnight period on August 14, 15, and 17, between one to two travel lanes along the same stretch will close for repairs. At least one travel lane on the 95 Express Lanes will remain open for customers during those periods.
During the full closure, customers on the Express Lanes will be detoured to the regular lanes. Detours will be in effect when the Lanes are open both northbound and southbound, and access ramps to the Lanes throughout the span will remain closed.
When the corridor is open northbound:
- Customers traveling on the 95 Express Lanes will be diverted to the regular lanes just before the exit to Route 644.
- From the regular lanes, the next opportunity to enter the northbound 395 Express Lanes will be after Edsall Road.
When the corridor is open southbound:
- Customers traveling on the 395 Express Lanes will be diverted to the regular lanes just before the exit to Edsall Road.
- From the regular lanes, the next opportunity to enter the southbound 95 Express Lanes will be after Route 289.
Access ramps from southbound I-495 to the northbound or southbound 95/395 Express Lanes will be closed
- Drivers can use one of the access ramps referenced above to get on the Express Lanes from the regular lanes