Va. Commuters Weigh Fees for Beltway's HOT Lanes

In recent years, Virginia and Maryland officials have looked for private companies to help pay for major highway projects. Of the $1.7 billion cost, about $409 million is public money for work that state officials originally said would be paid by private firms.

Under the terms of the agreement, the companies building the project, Transurban of Australia and Fluor Enterprises (which has an office in Arlington County), will operate and maintain the HOT lanes for 80 years, including during construction. The agreement allows the companies to keep the toll revenue.

"That really is concerning. Why would they mingle private funds with public funds?" Peschard said. "I wish our lawmakers could just come up with another way."

The companies will build two lanes on each side of the Beltway. When construction is finished, the middle four lanes will be converted to HOT lanes. That ensures the same amount of roadway for motorists who do not use the HOT lanes and keeps construction along the shoulders.

The deal also includes the construction of carpool lanes through the Springfield interchange and a reconfiguration of the Beltway interchange with Interstate 66, including direct access to the HOT lanes.

The companies have also teamed up on a plan to create 55 miles of carpool toll lanes on interstates 95 and 395 between the 14th Street bridge and Stafford County.

During construction, officials vow, all Beltway lanes will be kept open through rush hour and road closures will occur only at night and on weekends. But drivers are preparing for delays.

"The thought of sitting in congestion on top of construction," an exasperated Lee trailed off. "And add weather to that."