FAIRFAX, Va. — Starting Monday, Dec. 5 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes for a portion of the Interstate 66 Express Lanes will require a minimum of three occupants instead of two.
According to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), drivers from the I-66 East general purpose lanes to the 495 Express Lanes will use the new 66 Express Lanes flyover ramp starting Nov. 16.
VDOT says the new ramp will be a permanent feature of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project.
Initially, drivers using the new ramp will not be charged a toll until exiting onto the north or southbound 495 Express Lanes. When the remainder of the eastbound 66 Express Lanes open later on Nov. 22, drivers will need to either pay a toll or meet the HOV requirement to use this portion of the 66 Express Lanes.
Currently, vehicles must have a minimum of two or more occupants in order to qualify as HOV on I-66. On Dec. 5, the minimum requirement will increase to three or more occupants. This change will apply across the entire I-66 corridor, including the 22.5 miles of 66 Express Lanes located outside the Beltway and the nine miles of 66 Express Lanes inside the Beltway between 495 and Route 29 in Rosslyn.
Drivers will have the option to pay a toll with an E-ZPass or by using one of the other payment options available through I-66 EMP such as online, through the mail or by calling 833-643-2867.
The Washington Metro Safety Commission wrapped up a meeting detailing the failures on the tracks, by conductors and at the stations themselves.