Taking the Express Lanes into Alexandria just got a little bit faster for single drivers.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Transurban, operator of the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes, announced that the reversible HOV ramp that connects the 395 Express Lanes to Seminary Road in Alexandria will convert to a standard express lane, or High Occupancy Toll, ramp on Friday, Sept. 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," the organizations explained.
Single drivers will pay a variable toll, but vanpool and carpool drivers with an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV ON can use the ramp and lanes free, and buses and motorcycles will continue to have toll-free use.
As part of the change, VDOT and Transurban will need to do some work on signage, lane markings and more. That work will start Aug. 26. There will be a temporary traffic shift on Seminary Road Aug. 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.
Visit the project webpage for more information.
