Survey: I-95 Drivers 'Unprepared' for 95 Express Lanes

The Virginia Department of Transportation wants Northern Virginia drivers to be prepared for the 95 Express Lanes opening this December by familiarizing themselves with the new E-ZPass and E-ZPass Flex systems.

To gauge Virginia drivers’ preparedness for the transition, VDOT conducted an online poll in Oct. 2014 that surveyed 1,200 Northern Virginia drivers, including 858 drivers who travel on I-95 at least a couple of days per month. The survey’s findings are as follows:

• Only 32 percent of carpoolers have an E-ZPass Flex. All drivers will need an E-ZPass to use the Express Lanes. Carpoolers will need an E-ZPass Flex and three or more passengers to travel toll-free. E-ZPass and E-ZPass Flex are available at 75 convenient Northern Virginia retail locations including Wegmans, Virginia DMVs and Giant Food Stores; at E-ZPass Customer Service Centers; online or by calling Virginia E-ZPass at (877) 762-7824.

• Only 51 percent of 95 drivers know that the Express Lanes will be reversible and just over half (55 percent) understand that the Express Lanes will replace the existing HOV lanes on I-95. The existing HOV lanes are being converted to Express Lanes. The lanes will reverse as they do today. Learn more about the lane reversal schedule.

• Nearly a quarter of I-95 drivers think the tolling and HOV-3+ requirements will only be in effect during rush hour. The Express Lanes rules of the road are in effect 24/7. Read more about the new rules.

• Less than a quarter of I-95 drivers are aware of what happens at the transition area on I-395 just north of Edsall Road where the Express Lanes end and the I-395 HOV lanes begin. North of the 95 Express Lanes, the rules on the I-395 HOV lanes will be the same as they are today. When the HOV restriction is in effect, drivers traveling alone or with one passenger will need to exit from the Express Lanes to avoid entering the HOV lanes. HOV-3+ and eligible clean fuel plate vehicles can travel in the I-395 HOV lanes as they do today. For more information about the transition area just north of Edsall Road on I-395, visit 95ExpressLanes.com/transition.

Once open, the 95 Express Lanes will provide faster, more predictable travel on I-95 in Northern Virginia by adding capacity and extending and improving the performance of the existing HOV lanes. Nearly 80 percent of travelers said they think the 95 Express Lanes will be good for the region, according to VDOT. For more information, visit 95ExpressLanes.com.

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