Virginia transportation officials today showed off the high-tech operations center that will oversee the new I-495 Express Lanes.
The 14-mile stretch is designed to ease traffic from from Springfield to the Dulles Toll Road. It's a high-tech roadway; there will be no gates on the lanes.
Instead, new E-ZPass transponders will calculate tolls on the road as you enter and exit. Those tolls will vary depending on how far drivers go - and HOV-3 drivers travel for free.
Sensors will monitor traffic 24 hours a day and the system will adjust toll prices as necessary. Meanwhile, operations center personnel will monitor the entire roadway from the operations center via cameras.
Officials have estimated that by using the Express Lanes, commutes from Springfield to Tysons Corner would be cut in half. The lanes are expected to open later this year.
For more information on the new road, visit 495ExpressLanes.com.
