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(Richmond-AP) -- Virginia's top transportation official wants the state to move forward on a proposal to put toll lanes on the Capital Beltway.

V-DOT Commissioner Philip Shucet says the Commonwealth Transportation Board should advance the idea to the next stage of review under the Public-Private Transportation Act.

The plan calls for four High Occupancy Toll lanes -- or HOT lanes -- on a 12-mile stretch of the Beltway, between Springfield and the Dulles Toll Road. Carpoolers and buses would use the HOT lanes for free.

Single drivers could pay up to four dollars to get off of the congested regular lanes. The $630 million project would be paid for almost entirely by tolls. It would be overseen by a private company.

The board will vote on Shucet's recommendation at its monthly meeting in Richmond today.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Date published: 7/17/2003

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