So, Virginians have decided to buy the privately managed, tax-payer-financed Lexus-lanes?

Where is a detailed map of the lanes as they will be built? I am mostly interested in how they are constructing the section from I-66 through Tysons towards Legion Bridge.

Thanks.

To clarify my earlier post, the site above only has a rough map of the physical lanes. I'm interested in seeing where the ramps and bridges are, how people will access the lanes, where it will dead end, etc.

Also, is there no plan in there to force the road builder to expand the ramp from the Dulles Toll Road onto 495 North? That ramp has one of the worst backups in the area - both morning and evening rush.

There are some maps on this page, but they all keep crashing my browser, so I don't know whether they are what you want:

http://www.virginiahotlanes.com/BeltwayProject/

As a follow-up, here is a map of the lanes in the Tysons area. Be interesting to see how the Metro line would relate to this if it is built, as it is supposed to pass over the Beltway at the 123 interchange.

http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/resources/TysonsEntryExitpoints.pdf

OK, three posts in 15 minutes is too many, but after looking at that site, I'm puzzled by something. They talk about how the tolls will be imposed by "segment" of the HOT lanes, but they don't tell you the answer to two points--(1) how you determine what a "segment" is and (2) whether you can get out of the lanes and stay on the Beltway if you don't like the toll rate for the next "segment." Put differently--it's clear that there will be slip ramps from the free lanes to the HOT lanes in a few places, similar to the ramps from the westbound Dulles Toll Road to the Dulles Access Road. But it's not clear whether there will be similar slip ramps OUT of the HOT lanes. If you don't like the toll rate, do you have to exit the Beltway entirely onto a local street and then work your way back on?

From Dr. Gridlock: Rich, this is what I recall from discussions with various state and corporate people involved in the HOT lane project. Yes, you'll be able to slip off the HOT lanes at various points along the Beltway, just as you'll slip on.

You'll slip off either because you don't want to pay the toll for the next segment or because you're approaching your destination, or at least, your connecting road to your destination.

They look at the Beltway project a bit differently than they do the I-95/395 project. Commuters on the Beltway are more likely to be going just a couple of exits, connecting from one road to another road via the Beltway.

Thanks, Dr. Gridlock. Appreciate the updates! What you say makes great sense given the limited exit points from the HOT lanes onto non-Beltway roads....and also for people who want to use an exit (or entrance) that serves only the HOT lanes but who don't want to drive the length of the HOT lanes (and pay the toll) just to do that.

I'm just going to post my sadness that after just getting free of the construction nightmare that was the mixing bowl we are now entering another nightmare.

I guess i'm going to become super friendly with the back roads to Tyson Corner.

What backroads to Tysons Corner?

"Woodley Park," if we answered your question, then they wouldn't be back roads!

"PC," you can get even MORE excited because the HOT lanes project is supposed to include new construction on the Springfield Interchange.

It's Virginia, they're all back roads. We wouldn't want traffic to flow or anything.

I attended a briefing by FLUOR/transurban at my place of employment. They indicated that the only access to the HOT lanes would be from arterial roads (I assume with the exception of the start points on the inner and outer loops). That means there's no slipping in and out between the general purpose lanes and the HOT lanes. Once you're in the HOT lanes, you must exit the beltway completely at one of the planned exit points or merge with the general purpose lanes at the end of the HOT lanes. They do plan to provide movable barriers that can be used by emergency vehicles to move between the HOT and general purpose lanes at various points.

The rates will be known before you enter the HOT lanes. See http://virginiahotlanes.com/documents/Using%20Capital%20Beltway%20HOT%20Lanes030608.pdf

"How will I know ahead of time what the toll will be so I can decide whether to use the lanes?

"Electronic signs will provide motorists with the latest toll rates. Motorists will see electronic message signs well before they enter the HOT lanes so they will have plenty of time to choose whether to use HOT lanes or travel on the regular lanes for free. Information will also be available on the Web and through other technology-based channels.

"Will the tolls change while I am in the lane?

"No, drivers will lock in their toll rates when they enter the HOT lanes."

This is traffic planning at its absolute worst. Living in the Annandale area and commuting daily to Tyson's, this whole idea is enough to drive me from the area completely. I understand the difficulties this region has with traffic but this is a horribly bad idea that was ultimately just good enough to be viable from a political point of view. Sorry to rant but I so detest this idea and the spineless officials that passed this. It makes my blood boil everytime I think about it.

Traffic planning? Ha! Ride a bike, you do know that the law does not apply to bikes, right?