HOV lanes switch to Express lanes on I-95 in VA

The 95 Express Lanes is now opened for public travel on 14th December and tolling is started 29th December of 2014. The project of about $940 million comprises nine new bridges, which offer accessibility to the lanes. The roads maintain traffic moving by means of dynamic tolling that regulates tolls depending on real-time traffic situations. The 95 Express Lanes structure utilizes the dynamic speed limit signals, the lane using management signals and video technology able to make out any accidents to help in handling traffic. It assists to sustain travel rates, make the travel times more obvious and considerably decrease HOV violators.
The agreements that are made in the project

The project was being financed and built under Public-Private Transportation Act of Virginia with $843 million sponsored by Fluor-Transurban, with fiscal close targeted to take place in mid of 2012. The contribution of the state is $97 million that was used in part to move on the construction activities as early as possible.

The major aspects of the contract involve Fluor-Transurban to finance and construct the facility; handle all operations, control traffic over the long-term and protection for a phase of 73 years after construction. Virginia Department of Transportation has continued to supervise all features of the facility to make certain that the HOV lanes are created, operated and sustained in reference to agreed-upon standards.

Advantages obtained due to the project

Bob McDonnell who is the Governor once declared the development of the 95 Express Lanes scheme that starts from Garrisonville Road of Stafford County to the point of Edsall Road, located in Fairfax County. This new project can generate about twenty nine miles of Express Lanes on Interstate-95. This scheme can add facility to the present HOV Lanes from Prince William Parkway to an area of Edsall Road, and develop the 2 existing HOV streets for 6 miles from the Route 234 to Prince William Parkway. The 9 mile reversible two-lane expansion of existing HOV streets from Dumfries to the road of Garrisonville in Stafford County can aid to lessen the worst traffic blockage in the area.

As a separate scheme, the plans were also being progressed to put up a direct ramp from the HOV roads on I-395 toward the Seminary Road, which can link the Mark Center place to this extended regional passage and HOV network. The ramp is limited only to transit as well as HOV use.

Sean T. Connaughton who is the Transportation Secretary said that Virginia knows that it should get the most beyond the existing transportation properties and get modern solutions to make public and freight move more efficiently. By means of HOT roads on the Beltway as well as I-95, they can build a region-wide system of managed lanes, which will allow travelers to move to some most significant employment hubs and military sites in Virginia. As per the expectation of VDOT, carpools as well as other travelers who utilize the HOV lanes can have quicker, and more consistent commuting times while HOT lanes are established.