VDOT News - Northern Virginia

FAIRFAX – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and I-66 Express Mobility Partners (EMP), the Commonwealth’s private partner and operator of the new 66 Express Lanes outside the Beltway, announced today that the eastbound direction of the new 66 Express Lanes from Route 28 in Centreville to I-495 (Capital Beltway) is on track to open on Tuesday, Nov. 22. The westbound direction of this same 13-mile section of express lanes opened on Saturday, Nov. 19. Drivers should use caution when traveling on I-66, as traffic becomes acclimated to the new express lanes and ramps.

When this final section opens, 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, Dec. 5, when vehicles will need to 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 major 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). 

How Drivers Can Prepare for 66 Express Lanes Outside the Beltway:

• Learn more about the 66 Express Lanes, including how to access the lanes by visiting Ride66express.com.
• Obtain an E-ZPass to pay tolls, or an E-ZPass Flex to travel toll-free as HOV. Drivers can obtain an E-ZPass at ezpassva.com, by calling 877-762-7824, or in person at many Giant and Wegmans grocery stores in Northern Virginia, as well as at AAA offices, Fairfax Connector stores, and DMV Customer Service Centers.
• Become familiar with other payment options available through I-66 EMP such as paying online, using a mobile app, via the mail, by calling 833-643-2867, or in person at the 66 Express Lanes Customer Service Center in Manassas. Payment options other than E-ZPass will incur administrative fees. More information can be found at Ride66express.com.

The 13 miles of 66 Express Lanes between I-495 and Route 28 in Centreville in the westbound direction opened Saturday morning, Nov. 19. The first section of the 66 Express Lanes between Gainesville and Route 28 in Centreville opened ahead of schedule on Sept.10, and includes direct access to and from two new commuter parking lots at University Boulevard (Gainesville) and Century Park Drive (Manassas).

Construction on some project features such as interchange improvements and a shared-use path adjacent to I-66 will continue after the opening of the express lanes, with scheduled completion by mid-2023.

Stay informed about I-66 construction activities and lane closures at Transform66.org.

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Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.