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VDOT: Express Lanes coming to I-64 in December

Posted at 4:52 PM, Oct 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-17 23:39:31-04

NORFOLK, Va. - Starting in early December drivers will have more lane options on a near ten-mile portion of I-64.

The Virginia Department of Transportation says High-Occupancy Vehicle lanes on the stretch of I-64 between I-264 and I-564 will be converted to 64 Express Lanes.

The voluntary lanes are designed to move more people to existing roadways to help with congestion.

VDOT says the Express Lanes will operate Monday-Friday from 5 a.m.-9 a.m. westbound and from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. eastbound.

Vehicles with an EZ pass and only one person inside can choose to pay a toll to use those during operating hours.

Vehicles with two or more inside can get a free EZ Pass FLEX to use the lanes for free, provided they slide the switch to 'HOV On'.

"Congestion, every morning, people are frustrated. They look over and see the HOV lanes are underutilized," said Paula Miller, a spokesperson for VDOT. "We're looking to move people, manage congestion and free up the general purpose lanes."

Outside operating hours VDOT says the lanes will be free.

The toll rate will be determined by the number of vehicles using the lanes at the time.

VDOT says all tolls collected will be invested back into the Hampton Roads corridor.

Drivers News 3 spoke with this week were split on whether they would pay to use an Express Lane, which, if successful, could be extended into Chesapeake and up through parts of the Peninsula.

Click HERE for more information on Express Lanes and how they work.