On November 17th, 2019, the I-395 Express Lanes will open to E-ZPass® or E-ZPass® Flex holders. This will allow single-occupancy vehicles to use the high-occupancy vehicles lane at all hours. The 395 Express Lanes project has been underway since August 2017, and with its completion, Northern Virginia commuters will notice the improvement of traffic flow and safety on our interstate.The route will continuously run for 8 miles from Aquia Harbor in Stafford County to the 14th Street Bridge. The new Express Lanes will provide 3 free-flowing, reversible Lanes 24/7 with quicker access to the Pentagon and Pentagon City. Transurban, the operator of the 395 Express Lanes, will transfer Virginia with $15 million per year to improve transit service in the corridor. Toll prices will be based on a real-time dynamic pricing system similar to what presently exists on I-495, I-95, and I-66.
- Carpools with 3 people or more and an E-ZPass® Flex can ride for free.
- Buses travel on the 395 Express Lanes for free, providing a faster, more reliable way to commute.
- There is no toll for customers on a motorcycle and you don’t need an E-ZPass® to take a trip on the 395 Express Lanes.
- Hybrid vehicles are no longer allowed to ride on the lanes for free unless they meet one of the above exceptions.
Even if drivers don’t choose to use the Express Lanes, overall traffic flow will improve. Northern Virginia has seen a 20% reduction in congestion on the regular lanes on I-95 and I-495 since the Express Lanes opened and Transurban anticipates that the 395 Express Lanes will further reduce congestion in the region.
As part of the project agreement, Transurban will provide the Commonwealth with $15 million per year to invest in transit projects in the 95 and 395 corridors. The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission will administer the program and choose projects that benefit toll-paying customers and travelers in the corridor.
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