By KELLY HANNON
A public-private partnership to build High Occupancy Toll lanes on Interstate 95/395 will change the look and travel experience on the highway, and area drivers have some chances to comment on the project.
Two information meetings are being held in the Fredericksburg area this week and next, part of a series of five Northern Virginia sessions.
State transportation officials hope to get comments about public transit and the project, and would particularly like to hear from car-poolers, van-poolers, bus riders, slugs and anyone else who uses the I-95 corridor.
HOT lanes would bring high occupancy travel on I-95 all the way to the Fredericksburg area for the first time.
Two private companies have partnered to build the lanes, Fluor Virginia Inc., and Transurban (USA) Development Inc.
Two new HOT lanes would be built from Dumfries south to Massaponax, and an additional third lane would be added to the existing two-lane High Occupancy Vehicle corridor from Washington to Dumfries, according to current Fluor-Transurban plans.
Vehicles with three occupants or more will get to use HOT lanes for free.
Vehicles with one or two occupants can use the lanes if they choose to pay a toll.
Feedback from the public will help the Virginia Department of Transportation and Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation shape the transit aspects of the project, which will be significant.
Toll revenues are expected to generate $390 million for transit, said Jennifer Pickett, DRPT spokeswoman. A transit study is under way to examine driver and commuter behavior, and the types and amount of transit services needed, she said. A final report is expected this winter.
Don't worry if you will be out of town during the meetings. Additional chances for public comment will be offered as the project progresses, and you may submit comments by mail and electronically.
The first local meeting is Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Wingate Inn in southern Stafford County, Mary Washington Pavilion East, 20 Sanford Dr., off U.S. 17.
The next meeting is Monday at 7 p.m. at the Spotsylvania County School Administrative Services building, 8020 River Stone Dr., across from Massaponax High School.
Presentations at the meetings will be held at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Information stations will be set up all evening, so people can drop in, talk to staff, and make comments even if they can't stay for a presentation, Pickett said.
Public input is needed as part of the National Environmental Policy Act review of the project's northern portion, which stretches roughly from the Pentagon to Garrisonville Road.
The toll rate has not been determined.
Tolls will be set using congestion pricing, which means they will change based on traffic volume. Fluor-Transurban has said it expects tolls at peak travel times to average $1 a mile, but some transportation planners have estimated it could take $1.60 a mile to keep traffic flowing.
Tolls are expected to be lower during off-peak hours.
Fluor-Transurban have signed an interim agreement with VDOT, but the project cannot be built until both parties have signed a comprehensive agreement.
Kelly Hannon: 540/374-5436| Drivers have options for addressing the issue
Comments on HOT lanes may be sent to the following addresses:
Public Affairs Virginia Department 1401 E. Broad Street Richmond, Va. 23219 hotlanes@vdot.virginia.gov Public Information Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation 1313 E. Main Street Suite 300 Richmond, Va 23219 drptpr@DRPT.Virginia.gov |
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Virginia Department of Transportation
VirginiaDOT.org/hotlanes Fluor-Transurban virginiahotlanes.com |