RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Joan Morris (703) 383-2465 joan.morris@VDOT.Virginia.gov Mike Salmon (703) 383-2055

NOVA-08-3 01/04/2008

CHANGE IN HOV RESTRICTION ON I-395 SOUTH BEGINS JAN. 14

Beginning Jan. 14, only vehicles with three or more persons, hybrid vehicles with clean fuel plates issued prior to July 1, 2006, and motorcycles will be permitted to use HOV lanes in the three-mile stretch of Interstate 395 South from Duke Street to Springfield between 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board approved the change recommended by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) last month.

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 express traffic through Springfield.

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

Motorists were allowed to enter the HOV lanes at an entrance ramp south of Duke Street and exit at either Route 644 West or at the flyover to the regular lanes.

The change will make travel times more reliable for carpools and buses. Restoring the section to HOV-3 will also make it easier for state police to enforce the HOV rules.

Results of a recent operational study show that the impact of HOV-3 would now be minimal. Although 2,500 non-HOVs use this section of HOV lanes, half of those vehicles are expected to use the through lanes and half to use the local lanes, exiting at Springfield.

Peak volumes on the HOV lanes would drop by 30 percent while peak vehicle volumes through the interchange would only increase by 8 percent.

The I-395 ramp, known as “Turkeycock” after a nearby creek, will remain open for HOV-3 during the peak period and all other vehicles at other times.

The recommendation to reinstate HOV-3 was done in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration, the Virginia State Police and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

Overhead message signs, the 511 system and radio spots will alert motorists to the new rule.

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