Traffic & Transit
Remaining I-66 Express Lanes To Open In Coming Days
The I-66 Express Lanes outside the Beltway could be entirely open as early as Tuesday, but the westbound direction will open first.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — The remaining Interstate 66 Express Lanes outside the Capital Beltway could be completely open by Tuesday, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The I-66 Express Lanes between Route 28 and the Capital Beltway in Fairfax County are set to open in the westbound direction Saturday. The eastbound direction could open as soon as Tuesday or by the end of November.
The Express Lanes are already open between Route 28 and Route 29 in Gainesville.
Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
As the westbound direction opens this weekend, lane closures, ramp closures and traffic stoppages are possible in the westbound direction and at interchanges. Workers will be uncovering overhead signs, activating traffic signals on Express Lanes ramps and completing other final preparations. Until the Express Lanes open, VDOT says westbound traffic should use the regular lanes to the right of the flex posts.
Drivers should also prepare for the upcoming transition from HOV-2 to HOV-3 on Monday, Dec. 5, according to VDOT. That means vehicles will need to have three or more occupants with an EZ Pass Flex set to HOV mode to use the Express Lanes without a toll. The change will apply to all 22.5 miles of the Express Lanes outside the Beltway, as well as the I-66 Express Lanes inside the Beltway during tolling times and the HOV lane beyond the Express Lanes between Haymarket and Gainesville.
Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The change to HOV-3 matches other Express Lanes in Northern Virginia. HOV-2 rules will continue before Dec. 5.
Construction on the I-66 Express Lanes project started as early as late 2017. Aside from 22.5 new miles of Express Lanes between the Capital Beltway and Route 29 in Gainesville, the project will add interchange improvements, shared-use trails along I-66, improved transit routes, and expanding park-and-ride lots. Other project parts like interchange improvements and construction of the shared-use path will continue into mid-2023 after the Express Lanes open.
For updates on specific project features, visit outside.transform66.org.
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