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Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has reached agreement with Transurban to extend the 395 Express Lanes project in Northern Virginia. 

As we reported in November 2015, Transurban and VDOT started negotiations to provide a structure to progress the 395 Express Lanes project in Northern Virginia, USA. The private company which already operates the 95 and 495 express lanes, will finance, design, build, maintain and operate (DBFOM) the extension along I-395.

Transurban proposal included a extension the 95 Express Lanes for 8 kilometres north to the I-395 and Washington DC border. The project scope includes:

• 8 kilometre Express Lanes extension to I-395 north
• Converting and upgrading the existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to express lanes from the current Express Lanes northern terminus at Edsall Road to the D.C. line
• Adding a third reversible lane from Edsall Road to just south of Eads Street near the Pentagon
• Improving the Eads Street Interchange and transit and carpool access at the Pentagon
• Adding a fourth regular southbound lane on I-395 between Duke Street and Edsall Road
• Rehabilitating five bridges over I-395
• New sound walls to protect neighboring communities

The total investment for the project is estimated at US$500 million. Financial close on the project is expected early this year.

Governor McAuliffe, said:

“This acceptance is the latest step in our ongoing effort to move more people and provide more travel choices in one of the most congested corridors of the country. The agreement we have reached with Transurban clearly meets the Commonwealth’s requirements and will give Virginia travelers and taxpayers the value they deserve for a project of this scope.”

Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne added:

“Under Governor McAuliffe’s leadership, we followed a process allowing our 95 Express Lanes partner 120 days to develop their financial and technical plans on this critical improvement project. Working together, we were able to ensure that the Commonwealth’s commitment to provide a $15 million annual payment for transit could be met while shifting key project risks to the private sector and enabling timely project delivery.”