VDOT News - Northern Virginia

UPDATE (11/14/2022): This work has been rescheduled. The switch to the new 66 Express Lanes flyover ramp will begin the morning of November 16.

FAIRFAX – Drivers traveling from the I-66 East general-purpose lanes to the 495 Express Lanes will begin using a new 66 Express Lanes flyover ramp starting Tuesday morning, Nov. 15. The new ramp is located on the right side of I-66 East just after the Cedar Lane Bridge over I-66 and about one-mile after (east of) the I-66/Nutley Street Interchange. This ramp is a permanent feature of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project and will be the only way for motorists to reach the 495 Express Lanes from the I-66 East general-purpose lanes.

Initially, vehicles using this new flyover ramp will not be charged a toll until exiting onto the north- or southbound 495 Express Lanes, where regular tolling and HOV rules will apply. Once the remainder of the eastbound 66 Express Lanes opens later in November, vehicles using the flyover ramp will need to either pay a toll or meet the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) requirement to use this portion of the 66 Express Lanes.

Drivers should stay alert for this new travel change and use caution when traveling in this area.

All work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled should inclement conditions occur.

In the final 66 Express Lanes configuration, eastbound 66 Express Lanes traffic will be able to exit to the I-495 general-purpose lanes and 495 Express Lanes, or continue east on I-66 inside the Beltway. Eastbound I-66 general-purpose traffic will be able to exit to I-495 or continue east on I-66 inside the Beltway.

The first nine miles of the 66 Express Lanes opened between Gainesville and Route 28 in Centreville on Sept. 10. The remaining portion of the 66 Express Lanes between I-495 and Route 28 is planned to open in the westbound direction on or about Nov. 19, and in the eastbound direction by the end of November.

Motorists can choose to use the lanes by paying a toll with an E-ZPass or by using one of the other payment options available through I-66 EMP such as paying online, 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.

Currently, vehicles must have two or more occupants to qualify as HOV on I-66. Starting Monday, Dec. 5, the HOV requirement will change from two or more occupants (HOV-2+) to three or more occupants (HOV-3+). This change from HOV-2+ to HOV-3+ will apply across the entire I-66 corridor including the 22.5 miles of 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.

Visit Ride66Express.com to learn more about 66 Express Lanes, and Transform66.org to stay informed about I-66 construction activities. For project updates, follow VDOT on Twitter @VaDOTNOVA or sign up here to receive project updates automatically by email. 

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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.