Anyone traveling on I-95 to or from Northern Virginia can attest to the importance of the express lanes.
The lanes run 41 miles from Fredericksburg to Fairfax and follow a reversal schedule — meaning they are only open to traffic traveling in one direction at a time. Typically, on weekdays, the lanes are open for northbound traffic in the morning and switch to southbound in the evening.
Now, a study is underway to transform the lanes into a two-way operation at all times, NBC4 reports.
Jeff McKay, chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, told NBC4 that he supports a plan allowing express lanes traffic in both directions at all times. “This is as close as we’ve ever been to fixing what shouldn’t have been built this way to begin with, and I believe we can do it,” McKay said. He added that he’s been in contact with Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger about the plan.
According to NBC4, a new two-lane, northbound connector would be added to the mixing bowl. “Then from the Franconia-Springfield Parkway to the Prince William Parkway, three lanes in each direction. From the Prince William Parkway all the way down to U.S. Route 17 near Fredericksburg, two lanes in each direction. And finally, from Route 17 to the Spotsylvania Parkway, a new extension with two lanes in each direction.”
The Virginia Department of Transportation confirmed to NBC4 that it is studying the plan. VDOT has not announced projected costs, but currently, a private company builds, maintains, and operates the express lane roads in exchange for the toll revenue.
Feature image, Kristina Blokhin/stock.adobe.com
