Fairfax County, Va. –– The size and complexity of the Virginia Megaprojects is attracting attention from transportation experts from all over the globe to the Megaproject offices in Springfield to see how it’s done.
Of all five of the projects that are part of the Megaprojects, the I-495 HOT Lanes project is usually up on the top of the “must see” list because it’s funded through a public-private partnership, an increasingly attractive funding mechanism.
“We’re glad to show our innovative projects to the world,” said John D. Lynch, the Virginia Department of Transportation Regional Program Director. “All the components of the projects including safety, funding, public outreach and our transportation management plan can benefit other transportation entities,” he added.
Over the past few months, Virginia transportation officials have provided tours and presentations to representatives from India, China and Turkmenistan as well as the multi-cultural graduate students of the International Road Federation.
Earlier this month, state transportation officials High Occupancy Toll lanes would be built from Garrisonville Road (Va. 610) in North Stafford to Edsall Road in Alexandria as part of Megaprojects.
The current HOV lanes on Interstate 95 will be converted to toll lanes and then extended from Dumfries south to Va. 610.
HOT lanes will give single drivers the option to pay a toll to use the lanes, and occupants in vehicles of three or more will still be able to use the lanes for free.
-A press release from the Virginia Department of Transportation contributed to this story.
