Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(61,661 posts)
Mon Nov 18, 2019, 03:43 PM Nov 2019

DC: New toll roads intended to expand car pools, maybe rail

Passenger Trains > DC: New toll roads intended to expand car pools, maybe rail
Date: 11/18/19 06:58
DC: New toll roads intended to expand car pools, maybe rail
Author: Lackawanna484

The commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia will open new 24 hour toll lanes on I-395, offering car pools and people willing to pay a steep toll an alternate to grinding and slow travel. Three new lanes replace two sets of two directional lanes. Tolls may be as high as $30 for peak driving times. I was surprised to see that motorcycles will ride free,it willl be interesting to see how that works out. Hybrid vehicles will now pay tolls, I believe straight electric vehicles will not pay tolls, even when occupied by a single driver.

I-395 runs from northern Virginia, past the Pentagon, and into DC. In Virginia, it connects with the already tolled inner lanes of I-95. Since the tolls vary based on traffic volume, it is difficult to predict precisely how much they will be. The DC Metro rail also used variable pricing, people would wait outside the entry gate until the chime signalled lower late morning rates were in effect.

Many drivers may be headed to the L'Enfant Plaza area, where there are many government offices. It would be great if this produced a bump in VRE services, too. It's a lot cheaper to add one train than capacity for a thousand more cars...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/tolling-on-395-express-lanes-starts-sunday-heres-what-you-need-to-know/2019/11/16/07742088-07d4-11ea-818c-fcc65139e8c2_story.html
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Public Transportation and Smart Growth»DC: New toll roads intend...