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Text495 Express Lanes Open November 17
495 Express Lanes Open November 17
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and 495 Express
Lanes recently announced that the 14-mile corridor of new high occupancy
toll (HOT) lanes on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway will open as
early as November 17. Drivers are encouraged to prepare to use the
Express Lanes now so you will be able to use them when they open. 495
Express Lanes travelers will need an E-ZPass® and an understanding of how
the lanes work before they can take advantage of the lanes.
The 495 Express Lanes are two new high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes in
each direction from the Springfield Interchange to just north of the
Dulles Toll Road on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway. Drivers
will need an E-ZPass to use the Express Lanes – there are no toll booths
or options to pay cash. Carpoolers will need the new E-ZPass® FlexSM to
permit a toll-free trip on the Express Lanes. To find out where you can
get an E-ZPass, visit www.495ExpressLanes.com.
Before the lanes open, drivers should:
• Get an E-ZPass: All drivers will need an E-ZPass or E-ZPassFlex to use
the 495 Express Lanes. To learn more about E-ZPass options and find out
how to get an E-ZPass, please visit www.495expresslanes.com/using-ezpass
• Plan their trip: The 495 Express Lanes will include three new
Beltway entry and exit points, meaning a more direct route to popular
locations in Tysons Corner and Merrifield. The Express Lanes are a
limited access highway so drivers should plan their new route and learn
how to access and exit the Express Lanes now by mapping their trip on the
495 Express Lanes website, www.495expresslanes.com/map
• Learn how to safely use the lanes: The Express Lanes will be easy
to use and get drivers where they need to go. However, there are some new
aspects of the road that are worth learning about. To learn how to safely
use the lanes, drivers should visit
www.495expresslanes.com/staying-safe
• Get answers to questions: For more information on tolling and
operations, drivers should visit the 495 Express Lanes FAQs web page – www.495expresslanes.com/faqs
The 495 Express Lanes will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Dynamic pricing based on real-time traffic conditions manages the demand
for the lanes, keeping the Express Lanes moving. The 14-mile Express
Lanes will be free for carpoolers with three or more people with an
E-ZPass Flex, buses, motorcycles and emergency vehicles. Other drivers
may pay a toll for a faster, more predictable trip. Drivers will lock in
their rate when they enter the lanes and pay tolls electronically with
E-ZPass.
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