State panel advances plans for HOT lanes

VDOT will analyze contractors' detailed proposals for I-95 toll lanes

By EDIE GROSS

Date published: 1/21/2005

By EDIE GROSS

Two proposals to stretch commuter express lanes down Interstate 95 to Fredericksburg will get serious consideration by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board agreed yesterday to have VDOT look at more detailed plans by both teams of builders that have offered to construct the high-occupancy toll, or HOT, lanes.

Both plans would add HOT lanes from the Springfield Interchange to I-495.

One plan--submitted by Clark Construction Group, Shirley Contracting Co. and Koch Performance Roads--would also create three HOT lanes between the Springfield Interchange and U.S. 17 in Stafford.

The second plan, put forth by Fluor Virginia of Arlington, would build three HOT lanes between the 14th Street Bridge outside Washington and State Route 610 in North Stafford, and two HOT lanes from there down to Massaponax.

HOT lanes operate like HOV lanes in that cars carrying three or more occupants can use them for free. But motorists without the required number of passengers could also use the lanes--for a fee.

The Clark/Shirley/Koch team estimates that its 36-mile project will cost about $407 million and take five years to complete. Fluor's 54-mile project would cost $999.3 million and take 61/2 years to finish.

Both teams intend to use bond money, toll revenues and a loan from the Federal Highway Administration to pay for the projects.

The proposals were brought forward under the state's Public-Private Transportation Act, which allows private firms to offer unsolicited projects if those firms are willing to take on the lion's share of the financial burden.

To reach EDIE GROSS: 540/374-5428 egross@freelancestar.com

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Date published: 1/21/2005