The Virginia Department of Transportation is recommending that a three-mile stretch of the Interstate 395 HOV lanes, currently open to all drivers during the afternoon, be returned to HOV-3.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board is scheduled to vote on the request at its Dec. 13 meeting.

If approved, the HOV-3 restriction would take effect in mid-January.

Since 1982, all motorists have been allowed to use the HOV section between Duke Street and Springfield from 3:30 - 6 p.m., due to heavy congestion in the regular lanes.

Non-carpoolers can enter the lanes at a ramp south of Duke Street and must exit at either Route 644 West or at the flyover to the regular lanes.

The new Springfield Interchange eliminates the need for the HOV exemption, as the difficult weave and merge in the regular lanes no longer exists.

Eleven lanes now accommodate the local and long distance traffic through Springfield.

The proposed change also would make it easier for state police to enforce the HOV laws.

It would also add capacity when construction begins early next year to add a fourth lane in each direction to Interstate 95 between Newington and the Occoquan River.

(END)

Dr. Gridlock column from The Washington Post (Nov. 29, 2007)

Page last modified: Dec. 6, 2007