HOT LANES PROPOSED TOLLS WOW

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic


   This showed up in the Washington Post this evening:

	

	"Drivers in express toll lanes planned for Interstates 95 and 395 would pay as much as a dollar a mile in some spots along the 36-mile route during peak times, the highest rate for a commute in the country, officials from the companies building the new-style highway said as they filed a detailed proposal yesterday.

	

	But regional transportation planners estimate that the cost for a rush-hour ride on the optional lanes probably will be far steeper: as much as $1.60 a mile in crowded segments. They estimate that a 21-mile, rush-hour trip from the Pentagon to the Prince William Parkway would cost as much as $22.28. A round-trip during peak hours could cost $41.46."

	

	To our buddy NOSUV, no mention of anyone exemption for Hybrids so prepare to pay the toll.

	

	Also, they continue to allege that carpoolers will ride for free.  Funny how no one ever addresses the issue on how they are going to count the people in the cars.  It seems like such a basic quesion that even a reporter should be able to figure out to ask someone about it.  Oh thats right, reporters only report whats fed to them anymore, they don't investigate whether the grub being fed to them is dog doo or not.

	

	Woodbridge folks, you up to paying 200.00 a week to use HOT?  And you Stafford and Fredericksburg folks, if us cynics are correct that we will all get shafted and pay the toll, are you ready to pay 90.00 a day, 450.00 a week to commute in the HOV lanes?  Now that you know the plan, will you begin to put the heat on your elected officials now while you have a chance to affect the outcome on this issue, or will you just wait for doomsday before its too late.  Remember these HOT fees are in addition to the taxes the assembly says we north virginians should be happy to accept to pay for road improvements.  This is economic war against North Virginia on transportation.  All commuters need to take arms and fight these proposals.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
CallmeMrSlug Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote CallmeMrSlug Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: HOT LANES PROPOSED TOLLS WOW Posted: 02 Mar 2007 at 11:39pm
	This showed up in the Washington Post this evening: "Drivers in express toll lanes planned for Interstates 95 and 395 would pay as much as a dollar a mile in some spots along the 36-mile route during peak times, the highest rate for a commute in the country, officials from the companies building the new-style highway said as they filed a detailed proposal yesterday. But regional transportation planners estimate that the cost for a rush-hour ride on the optional lanes probably will be far steeper: as much as $1.60 a mile in crowded segments. They estimate that a 21-mile, rush-hour trip from the Pentagon to the Prince William Parkway would cost as much as $22.28. A round-trip during peak hours could cost $41.46." To our buddy NOSUV, no mention of anyone exemption for Hybrids so prepare to pay the toll. Also, they continue to allege that carpoolers will ride for free. Funny how no one ever addresses the issue on how they are going to count the people in the cars. It seems like such a basic quesion that even a reporter should be able to figure out to ask someone about it. Oh thats right, reporters only report whats fed to them anymore, they don't investigate whether the grub being fed to them is dog doo or not. Woodbridge folks, you up to paying 200.00 a week to use HOT? And you Stafford and Fredericksburg folks, if us cynics are correct that we will all get shafted and pay the toll, are you ready to pay 90.00 a day, 450.00 a week to commute in the HOV lanes? Now that you know the plan, will you begin to put the heat on your elected officials now while you have a chance to affect the outcome on this issue, or will you just wait for doomsday before its too late. Remember these HOT fees are in addition to the taxes the assembly says we north virginians should be happy to accept to pay for road improvements. This is economic war against North Virginia on transportation. All commuters need to take arms and fight these proposals.

LDOMAJ Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 17 May 2004 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote LDOMAJ Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Mar 2007 at 7:15am
	Amazing we have to pay to use the roads that we paid to build...

sluDgE Members Profile Find Members Posts Master Slug Joined: 27 Oct 2003 Status: Offline Points: 501	Post Options Post Reply Quote sluDgE Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Mar 2007 at 7:18am
	It's still in the news reports ... Do you believe this? - "The tolls would be voluntary." [:)] - "Those who don't carpool or take mass transit would be able to pay extra to skip rush hour and drive in High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes." [:)] - "Buses and cars carrying more then three people would still ride for free." [;)] I'd like to belive those reports, but now I'm not so sure. [V] Would be really nice to see a report on exactly how the toll system can tell how many people are in each vehicle using the lanes and let the HOV3+ cars travel for free while charging the SOV vehicles. It must be like a thermos bottle that keeps hot things hot and cold things cold. How does it know? [:p]

darkprime Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 05 Jul 2006 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote darkprime Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Mar 2007 at 7:47am
	The article states cars with more than three riders, so does that mean it will become HOV-4?

Bob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Dec 2001 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Mar 2007 at 8:08am
	All right now. The PW County Board of Supervisors is hopping mad about what is happening with HOT lanes. PWC is being left out of the information loop because Fluor et al know that Dale City is a hotbed of anti-hot. http://www.pwcgov.org/documents/bocs/briefs/2007/0220/res07-161.pdf

sluDgE Members Profile Find Members Posts Master Slug Joined: 27 Oct 2003 Status: Offline Points: 501	Post Options Post Reply Quote sluDgE Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Mar 2007 at 8:11am
	... and "take three" becomes mandatory? That would work for me if it avoids our having to pay a ridculously high one-way toll.

scottt Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Slug Joined: 12 May 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 106	Post Options Post Reply Quote scottt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Mar 2007 at 9:20am
	Don't believe Fluor's statement that carpools will be free. Just look at the HOT lanes along 91 in Southern CA. The builder all along said that carpools would be free. The free ride didn't last long.

Jody Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jody Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Mar 2007 at 10:05am
	I agree with Scott. It irritates me that for 30 years the slug system has worked and is now being destroyed by the State of Virginia. Converting a shoulder of HOV but not putting up a barrier to keep the HOT lane separate from the HOV lanes is going to be a commuting nightmare.

sluDgE Members Profile Find Members Posts Master Slug Joined: 27 Oct 2003 Status: Offline Points: 501	Post Options Post Reply Quote sluDgE Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Mar 2007 at 12:01pm
	Does anyone know for sure what Virginia's agreement or contract with the HOT contractor actually says about free travel for car pools and buses in the HOT lanes? You'd think that important info would be a matter of public record -- or is it some sort of "double top secret probation" information? [;)]

NoSUV Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote NoSUV Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Mar 2007 at 1:27pm
	I don't know how this is being planned for implementation, but on California's 91, there are 2 "toll" lanes, both of which use a transponder. One of the lanes is designated for carpools, and it has a camera for verification that the carpool requirements are met. If the same system is used, vehicles going through the toll lane will be charged the variable amount, while vehicles meeting the lower cost or free criteria would go in a separate lane.