Politics & Government

Speed Limit on 495 Express Lanes Raised to 65

Can't drive 55? It's ok now. The speed limit on the Beltway Express Lanes is 65 mph.

You can step on it while traveling on the Interstate 495 Express Lanes.

The speed limit on the Beltway Express Lanes increased from 55 mph to 65 mph effective today.

The main lanes on the Beltway still have the current speed limit of 55 mph.

“The 495 Express Lanes are helping to alleviate traffic congestion along one of the most congested roadways in the Commonwealth,” Gov. Bob McDonnell said in a statement. “The new speed limit increase will help Northern Virginia Beltway drivers save even more time on their commute.”

Traffic in the DC metro area is rated worst in the country, according to the Texas Transportation Institute.

Find out what's happening in Falls Churchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Express Lanes opened in November 2012 with a dynamic tolling system based on demand, time of day and other factors. Commuters can pay via EZ-Pass to use the express lanes to get out of the congestion of the mainline Beltway lanes. Carpoolers (three or more people) may use the lanes free with an EZ-Pass Flex.

In the first quarter of 2013, the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, which run the lanes in a public-private partnership, reported nearly $2.5 million in revenue and more than 26,000 average daily trips on weekdays.

Find out what's happening in Falls Churchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Still, more than half of drivers on the Beltway do not have an EZ-Pass and thus cannot use the Express Lanes. EZ-Pass adoption is rising.

Do you think raising the speed limit on the Express Lanes was a good idea? Or do you think it could lead to more crashes? Tell us in the comments.


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