95 Express Lanes Break Ground | News

DALE CITY, Va. (WUSA) -- Governor Bob McDonnell tossed the dirt in a groundbreaking ceremony along with most of elected officials whose jurisdictions touch I-95.

The 95 Express Lanes will benefit hundreds of thousands of commuters who suffer through miles of daily congestion morning and night.

"No more will we be the worst congested highway in the Nation. The billion dollar public private partnership will add a 3rd HOV lane from Edsall Road to Prince William County and extend two express lanes nine miles south into Stafford County," Lon Anderson from AAA said.

The express lanes will tie in to the Beltway's express lanes. Carpoolers with three or more can ride for free and others will be charged a toll that's raised and lowered to keep speeds no less than 45 miles per hour. The Governor says the tolls will encourage carpooling while offering those who want to pay, a choice.

"People understand there's no free lunch...taxpayers," McDonnell said.

But there's a missing link north of the Beltway, I-395.

If you're on the Express Lanes going north in Prince William or Stafford County and don't have at least 3 people in your car, you are going to have to get off just north of the beltway because Arlington County didn't want to be part of the project and even sued the state over it.

"They've kind of created their own stew pot, unfortunately, everybody's going to have to be part of it," Anderson said.

Project managers say continuing the lanes into Arlington County is their future goal.