Virginia transportation officials said yesterday they are seeking public approval of a $693 million public-private plan that would add four new high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on the Capital Beltway.
The plan, submitted by the Arlington-based construction company Fluor Daniel, would widen a 12-mile section of the Beltway from eight to 12 lanes between the Springfield Interchange and Georgetown Pike.
The project would require $91 million of state funding and at least 36 months’ construction time.
“All HOV [high-occupancy vehicle] users and express buses would ride for free and be guaranteed the ability to drive at the posted speed limit,” said Gary Groat, a spokesman for Fluor Daniel. “That’s the privilege. If people want to ride the lane for free, all we ask them to do is carpool.”
Under the plan, cars with at least three occupants, emergency vehicles and buses would have free access to the four HOT lanes, two in each direction. The cost for other drivers would range from $1 to $4.80.
Drivers who don’t carpool would pay the tolls via a SmarTag or E-Z Pass. Large trucks would be banned from the HOT lanes.
Fluor Daniel is offering to finance $601 million of the $693 million project cost on behalf of Virginia — which can’t afford to widen the Beltway — with non-revenue toll bonds bought by individual investors. The remaining $91 million would be funded by taxpayers.
“The road will be owned by the Commonwealth,” Mr. Groat said. “I think the benefits to taxpayers far outweigh the 13 percent of the budget they are being asked to fund.”
Lon Anderson, director of public and government relations for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said the proposal is a bargain for the state. “The Beltway would not be expanded without private funding,” he said.
Joan Morris, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), said the I-495 Public Private Transportation advisory panel will host an April 29 town hall meeting in Falls Church to solicit public reaction to the proposal.
“Public opinion is very important to how successful this will be,” Ms. Morris said. “Some research has been done, but public sentiment changes. People strongly opposed HOT lanes several years ago, and now many citizens and people in the transportation field are saying we should give it a try.”
The panel expects to make its final recommendation by the end of next month.
“If the advisory panel chooses to move forward, we’ll begin negotiations with the company and construction could begin within a couple of years,” Ms. Morris said.
Pierce R. Homer, state deputy transportation secretary, said Gov. Mark Warner will support the project if the panel approves it.
“There’s been no final conclusion, but the governor believes this is an idea worth pursuing,” Mr. Homer said. “His guiding principle is to let the process work itself out at the regional decision-making level.”
Mr. Groat said Beltway commuters should jump at the chance to avoid rush hour congestion between Springfield and the Washington Dulles Access and Toll Road.
“If you commute to the Dulles corridor or Tysons Corner for work, your only choice is to get in your car,” Mr. Groat said. “Nothing has been done to anticipate these commercial centers.”
If the proposal is approved, the advisory panel and Fluor Daniel will negotiate the toll pricing. Pricing will vary according to congestion and be determined either by a schedule adjustment every three months or by “dynamic pricing,” which could change every five minutes.
HOT lanes currently are used in San Diego and Orange County in California and Harris County and Houston in Texas. Dozens more are being planned nationwide.
Ms. Morris said two HOT lane proposals also have been submitted for sections of Interstates 95 and 395 between the District and Massaponax, Va.
The Beltway-widening plan was proposed last July under the Public-Private Transportation Act, a measure the state Legislature passed in 1995 that allows private companies to submit transportation proposals to the state.
In December, state Secretary of Transportation Whitt Clement created the advisory panel to evaluate the proposal. Panel members include officials from VDOT, Fairfax County, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the Metropolitan Washington Transportation Planning Board.
The April 29 meeting will be held at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church. Public comments will begin at 7:30 pm.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.