The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization is proposing a 45-mile network of high-occupancy toll lanes on I–64 that includes conversions of 16 miles of carpool and three miles of general-purpose lanes. No unpriced lanes would be added.
"State and regional officials are proposing a 45-mile network of toll lanes for drivers who want to avoid traffic jams on Interstate 64" from Newport News to Chesapeake in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia, reports Dave Ress of the Daily Press.
The aim is to have the system in place by 2025, with the opening of the additional Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel [HRBT] tubes and causeways carrying a total of four lanes.
The high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes serve as carpool lanes for vehicles with two or more occupants. Unlike high occupancy vehicle lanes, though, they allow single-occupant vehicles access as well, charging a variable toll that increases with the level of congestion, aka congestion pricing. The Federal Highway Administration requires these "'HOV+' facilities" to maintain a minimum speed of 45 mph regardless of the level of congestion.
HOT lanes are already operating on the reversible lanes in Norfolk between I-564 and I-264 [known as 64 Express Lanes] and are planned for some of the new HRBT lanes and approaches.
Planning for the widening is being done by the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO), the metropolitan planning organization for the nine cities and four counties that comprise the Hampton Roads region in southeastern Virginia, in a coordinated effort with the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), according to an email from Michael S. Kimbrel, HRTPO's deputy executive director.
No new free lane additions
"[T]o my knowledge, this would be the first time that general-purpose [GP] lanes in Hampton Roads would be converted to managed lanes," Kimbrel wrote. However, due to the existing road configuration which goes from three to two GP lanes, the conversion of the outer GP lane "will allow a smoother transition" to the new four-lane configuration: "2 GP and 2 HOT lanes (1 HOT and 1 part-time HOT in each direction)."
"Commonwealth Transportation Board member W. Sheppard Miller III, a business owner from Norfolk, said he was pleased that the new plan would convert only [a] small stretch of currently free lanes to HOT traffic, referring to the stretch around LaSalle [Ave. in Hampton], where the planned widening of the highway would allow two HOT and two free lanes where traffic now moves on three lanes," adds Ress.
"Considering the HOV lanes would be turned into HOT lanes, there aren't many sections of roadway that would need construction," reports WTKR (article and newscast).
For more details, including maps, see the I-64 Express Lanes Concept 2040 Analysis [pdf]
TV coverage: News articles with video reports by WAVY and WTKR on HOT lane proposal, Sept. 23.
Related in Planetizen:
-
Converting a Carpool Lane to a High Occupancy Toll Lane No Easy Task (in Riverside County, California), September 19, 2019
Read the full story: New plan calls for 45 miles of toll lanes on I-64, stretching from Chesapeake to Newport News
The ‘Three Pillars’ of Carbon Reduction, According to Caltrans
The California Department of Transportation released its draft carbon reduction strategy last month to apply for Carbon Reduction Program funds included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Road pricing plays a prominent role.
Popularity of Express Lanes Spreads Beyond Virginia
Dan Vock of Governing takes a broad look at congestion pricing, beginning with the success of Virginia's 66 Express Lanes, the ones where tolls initially topped $40. Notwithstanding complaints, managed lanes are spreading, but challenges remain.
Solo-Occupant Hybrid Vehicles Lose Access to Carpool Lanes
A change in federal law on Monday meant that over 16,000 Virginia motorists must double or triple-up when using carpool lanes in Virginia. Next month, electric vehicles will need three occupants to drive free on I-395 when HOV lanes become HOT.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority