395 Express Lanes Testing Underway, November Opening Projected

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Testing is beginning to happen for the Interstate 395 Express Lanes, set to replace the HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes this fall. The toll lanes are expected to open in November, according to private toll operator Transurban. An exact opening date has not been set.

The current two HOV lanes are being converted into three toll lanes. The Express Lanes will run for eight miles, starting where the 95 Express Lanes end near Edsall Road and ending at the 14th Street Bridge in DC. Drivers will need an E-Z Pass to use these lanes.

Tolls for the Express Lanes will be in effect 24/7. The current HOV lanes are in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Vehicles with three or more people can ride for free with an E-ZPass Flex set to "HOV on." Like the 495 and 95 Express Lanes, the ones on 395 will follow a reversible schedule.

The project will also offer an improvement to the Pentagon/Eads Street exit on northbound 395. The exit, which currently has one ramp, will split into two, with a right ramp going to Pentagon City and left ramp to Pentagon.

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Drivers will begin to see changes as the Express Lanes prepare to open. As staff test tolling technology, the dynamic message signs are starting to show test messages. Gates used as entry points to the Express Lanes are also undergoing testing. A small number of vehicles will be on the Express Lanes to test the tolling technology.

The 395 Express Lanes will join I-95 and 495 Express Lanes run by Transurban and the I-66 Express Lanes run by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Earlier this year, Virginia officials announced the I-495 Express Lanes will be extended from Dulles Toll Road to the American Legion Bridge and I-95 Express Lanes extended to Fredericksburg.

For more information about the project and Express Lanes, visit www.expresslanes.com/395.