The westbound direction of this same 13-mile section of express lanes opened on Saturday, November 19. Drivers should use caution when traveling on I-66, as traffic becomes acclimated to the new express lanes and ramps.
Now, the entire 22.5-mile 66 Express Lanes corridor from Route 29 in Gainesville to I-495 will be open with tolling and HOV-2+ rules in effect.
The HOV requirement for toll-free travel will change to HOV-3+ beginning Monday, December 5, when vehicles must have three or more occupants to travel the express lanes without paying a toll. This change from HOV-2+ to HOV-3+ will apply across the entire I-66 corridor including the 66 Express Lanes located outside the Beltway, as well as the nine miles of 66 Express Lanes located inside the Beltway between I-495 and Route 29 in Rosslyn, which operate on weekdays during peak periods in peak commute directions. This HOV-3+ requirement is consistent with HOV requirements on the other express lanes in Northern Virginia. Eligible high occupancy vehicles can use the 66 Express Lanes toll-free but must have an E-ZPass Flex set to the “HOV On” mode.
The new 66 Express Lanes provide direct connections at significant interchanges along the I-66 corridor, including Route 28, Route 50, Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road), and I-495. Ramps at Monument Drive and Stringfellow Road will now be express lanes-only ramps. Additionally, the 66 Express Lanes bring new, first-time connections to and from the west at Monument Drive and Vaden Drive (near the Vienna-Fairfax/GMU Metrorail Station).
I-66 EB & WB express lanes are open just in time for holiday travel, @VaDOTNOVA. I’ve seen a few drivers using the express lanes to get to their destination this AM. The express lanes offer direct connections at Route 28, Route 50, Route 123 and I-495. @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/KOQy7JsoGx
— Dominique Moody (@dmoodytv) November 22, 2022
