Recently opened express lanes on a nine-mile stretch of Interstate 66 will now charge variable tolls based on traffic congestion.
A new set of express lanes on Virginia’s Interstate 66 with dynamic pricing are getting their first test after two weeks of toll-free driving, reports Neal Augenstein for WTOP. Drivers can see pricing, which can change every 30 minutes, about two miles before deciding whether to enter the express lanes. “The tolling system changes the price, in an attempt to ensure vehicles can maintain an average speed of 55 mph.”
“During the first Monday morning commute, the average cost was $6.10, for the entire western section, from the entrance over Route 29 in Gainesville to Route 28 in Centreville.” During the off-peak midday period, average tolls in both directions were $2.75. According to the article, the tolls will fluctuate more over time as the system ‘learns’ to become responsive to live traffic flows.
Express lanes are one example of congestion pricing, which adjusts the cost of driving by controlling traffic through a variety of mechanisms aimed at reducing congestion and encouraging off-peak travel.
Read the full story: Is it worth it to you? What drivers are paying on new I-66 Express Lanes
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