Toll Rate Increase Proposed For Dulles Toll Road In Northern Virginia

VIRGINIA — Toll rates on the Dulles Toll Road are proposed to increase in 2023, and a transition to electronic-only payments is being planned, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced a proposal to increase toll rates on Jan. 1, 2023 on Dulles Toll Road, which runs between the Capital Beltway and Dulles International Airport. If the toll rates are approved, the rate for two-axle vehicles at the main plaza would increase from $3.25 to $4. In addition, the on and off-ramp rate would increase from $1.50 to $2. That means a full trip cost from the main plaza to an off-ramp would increase from $4.75 to $6.

The two-axle price would apply to passenger cars and trucks. Other rate increases are proposed for vehicles with three axles, four axles, five axles, and six or more axles.

The other proposal from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is to implement a fee for pay-by-plate transactions once the toll road switches to electronic-only tolling. The toll road currently offers coin payment as an option, but once it switches to electronic-only tolling, it would only accept EZ Pass or a license plate scan with payment through an app or bill sent in the mail.

The Washington Post reported the switch to electronic-only tolling could happen in 2023. According to the Washington Post, the fee would be $1.60 for those who pay tolls through an app or by having their license plate scanned.

Virginia law states a toll road operator may charge a fee for the cost of a video monitoring system and the cost of an invoice for a pay-by-plate transaction. The fee may not exceed double the base toll, provided that the toll road operator provides notice with signage before entering.

Public hearings are planned to discuss the toll increase proposal, pay-by-plate fee, the transition to electronic-only tolling, what toll revenue goes toward in the Dulles corridor, and Silver Line extension project in the Dulles corridor.

A virtual public hearing will be held Tuesday, July 12 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. through Zoom. Attendees can join through Zoom with passcode 174277, or by dialing in by phone at 1-301-715-8592 with webinar ID: 865 5116 1067 and passcode: 174277.

An in-person meeting will be held Monday, July 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Washington Dulles Airport Marriott, Salons A, B, C, 45020 Aviation Drive, Dulles, VA 20166.

Public comments will also be accepted July 11 through Aug. 10 through an online comment form, email to [email protected] or mail to MWAA Public Comment Period, c/o HNTB, 2900 South Quincy Street, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22206. Check back here for the online comment form on July 11.