Motorists traveling in the Northern Virginia area now have an option for a speedier commute with the opening of the 495 Express Lanes in November. These new lanes, stretching from just north of the Dulles Toll Road to the Springfield Interchange, offer commuters new travel choices: car pools, van pools, and buses along with toll-paying options on the Capital Beltway.
“With these new lanes on the Capital Beltway, motorists have a choice for a reliable bus or car pool trip, or a quicker commute in their own vehicle,” said John D. Lynch, regional transportation director at the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Make sure you have an E-ZPass® or E-ZPass Flex®
Unless you’re driving a motorcycle, an emergency vehicle or a bus, all motorists must have an EZPass® to use the Express Lanes. You have two E-ZPass® options – a standard E-ZPass® or an E-ZPass Flex®. The E-ZPass® you need will depend on how you plan to use the Express Lanes. Both types can be used to pay tolls wherever E-ZPass® is accepted. To get a toll-free trip on the Express Lanes you need three or more people in your vehicle and an E-ZPass Flex® set to HOV mode.
You can switch the E-ZPass Flex® between the non-paying HOV mode and the regular toll-paying mode. The E-ZPass Flex® helps ensure HOV-3+ travelers get a toll-free trip while helping to prevent others from using the lanes unlawfully. Not planning to travel in the 495 Express Lanes with three or more people in your vehicle? Then you can use a standard E-ZPass®, but remember, with a standard E-ZPass®, you do not have the option to travel toll-free in the 495 Express Lanes. Already have a standard E-ZPass®? Rest assured – it will work in the Express Lanes.
The E-ZPass® is available at:
- www.EZPassVA.com
- E-ZPass® Customer Service Center, 610 Herndon Parkway, Suite 900, Herndon, VA 2017
- AAA Mid-Atlantic stores in Virgini
- Select Giant and Wegmans in Northern Virginia
