ICYMI: New Tolls and Express Lanes for I-95, I-395 Greenlighted by Virginia Transportation Officials

Virginia transportation officials have officially greenlighted extensions of the Express Lanes and tolls on the 95 and 395 freeways.

WTOP reports that the Express Lanes on I-95 will extend north to the D.C. line, and south past Garrisonville Road. The southern extension is already underway.

The 2.2-mile extension of toll lanes on the southern stretch of I-95 will mean single-occupancy drivers can travel in the designated lanes by paying a toll based on how busy traffic is at the time. Cars with three or more passengers and an EZ-Pass switched into "HOV mode" can travel in the lanes for free.

The southern extension is expected to debut by 2018. After that, there is the potential to extend the lanes another 10 miles into Stafford by 2021, according to WTOP.

In addition, toll lanes will be extended or added to sections of freeway under the new agreement struck between Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Commissioner Charlie Kilpatrick and the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

In Arlington County, existing carpool lanes on I-395 will be converted to Express toll lanes, which is expected to be complete by 2021.

In separate projects, toll lanes that charge drivers during rush-hour times are expected to come to I-66 east of the Beltway by this summer, and Express Lanes are expected to come to I-66 between the Beltway and Gainesville by 2021.