The Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project transforms Northern Virginia’s Interstate 66 into a multimodal corridor that moves more people, provides reliable trips and offers new travel options. The project is a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), and private partner, I-66 Express Mobility Partners, delivering $3.7 billion of transportation improvements in the I-66 corridor.
Improvements include:
The project is approximately 22.5 miles, extending from Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway) to Gainesville (Route 29).
Vehicles with three or more occupants (HOV-3+) and buses will travel for free.
Vehicles with less than three occupants can choose to use the lanes and pay a toll.
Toll rates will increase as traffic volumes on the express lanes increase so that traffic flows freely.
Yes, three regular (general-purpose) lanes will be open to all traffic and will not be tolled.
The images below illustrate how I-66 will generally look when the project is completed.
Gainesville to Manassas, Centreville to the Capital Beltway
Manassas to Centreville
I-66 Express Mobility Partners (EMP) is a consortium of two of the world’s most experienced public-private infrastructure companies – Cintra and Meridiam Infrastructure.
The design-build team for the project, FAM Construction, is a joint venture between Ferrovial Agroman US and Allan Myers, VA Inc.
Early construction activity began during the winter of 2017-2018, and major construction commenced in April 2018.
The 66 Express Lanes opened for travel ahead of schedule in November 2022, but construction continues throughout the 66 Express Lanes corridor during daytime and overnight hours as weather conditions allow. To stay informed of construction related changes to traffic patterns sign up at Transform66.org to receive the latest traffic alerts.
During the procurement process that led to the selection of I-66 Express Mobility Partners (66 EMP), VDOT fostered innovation by allowing proposers to submit new ideas.
These new design ideas, called Alternative Technical Concepts or ATCs, were kept confidential during the procurement process to maintain each team’s competitive advantage.
Following the signing of a Comprehensive Agreement between VDOT and 66 EMP in December 2016, ATCs included in the 66 EMP proposal, as well as additional ATCs, were considered.
Initial concepts and ideas were presented during public briefings and at public information meetings in June 2017.
VDOT and 66 EMP continued to engage the public on new design concepts and worked to complete environmental and traffic analyses before design plans were finalized.
66 EMP’s concept plans submitted in October 2016 are shown here and include:
A proposed elevated ramp south of I-66 at Dunn Loring, which would eliminate the need to relocate a WMATA traction power substation, was shown in 66 EMP’s Technical Proposal.
In response to concerns raised by neighboring communities, the ramp is no longer under consideration and was eliminated in the concept plans posted in June 2017.
An alternative solution is being developed to relocate the substation.
66 EMP, working with VDOT and key stakeholders, is considering additional concepts beyond those in their proposal. These include:
Decisions on whether these concepts will be included in the project will be made in the latter half of 2017.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with a Record of Decision in November 2013.
The EIS studied potential multimodal improvements that could address existing and future transportation needs in the I-66 corridor.
The study was developed by VDOT, DRPT and FHWA.
During the Tier 1 process, VDOT and DRPT identified ten concepts that would increase capacity, provide multimodal options, improve individual interchanges, and address safety and operations.
A Tier 1 EIS differs from a traditional EIS in that it focuses on broad issues, such as purpose and need, travel modes (bus, carpool, rail transit, car, etc.), technology choices and the general location of proposed improvements.
For additional information, refer to the Tier 1 Final EIS and Record of Decision.
In July 2014, VDOT and DRPT initiated a Tier 2 Environmental Assessment (EA), which addressed a set of transportation improvements identified in the Tier 1 EIS.
The EA’s Purpose and Need statement reiterated the existing and future transportation conditions and needs that were defined in the Tier 1 Final EIS and provided updated supporting traffic and transportation information.
The purpose of the project is to address existing and future transportation problems on I-66 and improve multimodal mobility by providing diverse travel choices in a cost-effective manner.
It is also to enhance transportation safety and travel reliability.
The Tier 2 EA studied a combination of improvement concepts from the Tier 1 Final EIS, including:
Presented to the public in spring 2015, the Tier 2 Draft EA included evaluations of site-specific conditions and potential effects from proposed improvements on air quality, noise, neighborhoods, parks, recreation areas, historic properties, wetlands, and streams.
The Tier 2 Revised EA was made available for public review and comment in January 2016.
In July 2016, after reviewing the Tier 2 Final EA, the FHWA published a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway improvements.
This step cleared the way for the project to move forward with design and construction.
Travelers in vehicles with three or more occupants (HOV-3+) and buses will travel free.
Travelers in vehicles with less than three occupants can choose to use the lanes and pay a toll.
The toll rates will vary based on demand to allow for smooth flow of traffic.
The price will increase as more vehicles enter the express lanes and will decrease when there are fewer vehicles.
Raising the occupancy requirement will move more people in fewer vehicles, relieving traffic congestion and helping the region to meet federal air quality requirements.
The change became effective December 5, 2022.
By 2022, additional infrastructure, including 4000 new park and ride spaces, will be in place to support the formation of carpools outside the Beltway, while additional transit and other alternatives to solo driving will be operational both inside and outside the Beltway.
The change to HOV-3+ will make I-66 consistent with the Capital Beltway (I-495), I-95, and I-395, which were already designated HOV-3+. I-66 inside the Beltway (from I-495 to Washington, D.C.) also changed to HOV-3+ when the 66 Express Lanes opened outside the Beltway.
Toll rates will increase as traffic volumes increase so that traffic flows freely.
The express lanes on I-66 will use an electronic toll collection system like the 495 Express Lanes, 95 Express Lanes, 395 Express Lanes, and the express lanes on I-66 inside the Beltway from I-495 to Washington, D.C.
To use the express lanes, drivers will be required to have an E-ZPass transponder mounted inside their vehicle, which can be placed in “flex mode” when traveling HOV-3+.
Tolls will be collected when their vehicles pass below the overhead toll-collection gantries.
If a vehicle does not have an E-ZPass transponder and uses the express lanes, a photograph will be taken of the vehicle's license plate and a bill will be mailed to the registered owner in the amount of the toll, plus an administrative fee.
Yes. Motorists who regularly travel with three or more passengers are encouraged to get an E-ZPass Flex transponder, which can be switched to HOV mode, so they will not be charged for their trip.
Buses will not need an E-ZPass to use the express lanes.
Yes, motorcyclists will travel free and will not need an E-ZPass to use the express lanes.
With the project occupying a wider footprint in certain locations along the 22.5-mile corridor, preliminary design plans indicate that partial and total acquisitions affecting approximately 200 private and commercial properties may be necessary, with most being partial acquisitions.
Project designs, including property impacts, will be available at design public hearings in fall 2017, where right-of-way representatives will answer questions regarding the right-of-way acquisition process.
Impacted property owners will be contacted by right-of-way specialists, who will guide them through how the commonwealth works with property owners to acquire property necessary for projects like Transform 66, a process that is designed to protect the rights of property owners.
VDOT’s information pamphlet, Right of Way and Utilities: A Guide for Property Owners and Tenants is available on line. Click here for a copy of the brochure.
Any vehicle with two or more axles including motorcycles, mass transit vehicles, commuter school buses, and trucks.
Small and mid-sized trucks with two axles, as well as multi-axle vehicles including large 18-wheel trucks and tractor trailer trucks pulling a single trailer, will be permitted to use the 66 Express Lanes.
Trucks are tolled at a minimum of five times the regular toll rate for two-axle vehicles during peak periods, and are tolled a minimum of three times the regular toll rate during all other times.
Small and mid-sized trucks with two axles can use the 495, 95, and 395 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia.
On I-66 west of Route 28, large trucks account for about four percent of daily traffic.
East of Route 28, large trucks account for about three percent of daily traffic.
On Interstate 81, trucks average between 20 and 30 percent of daily traffic.
On Interstate 95, trucks average about seven percent of daily traffic on the general purpose lanes.
The chart below shows the actual number of large trucks as compared with other vehicle traffic during peak hours:
VDOT’s traffic analysis shows that by 2040, the proportion of large trucks using I-66 east of Route 28 will remain relatively consistent with current truck use, while large truck use west of Route 28 will increase slightly.
During off-peak travel periods, large trucks will account for four to six percent of all traffic on the express lanes.
Because trucks avoid congested periods to shorten delivery times, the proportion of trucks traveling on I-66 during rush hours already is lower than at other times, and is expected to be less than one percent of all traffic in 2040.
Roadway and ramp designs, such as ramp lengths allowing deceleration, turn radii, and lane and ramp widths, will take into account large trucks and will be developed in accordance with state and federal standards and procedures.
Final designs will be approved by VDOT and FHWA.
The animations below show a comparison of existing traffic and trucks on I-66 and I-81, and future traffic with the new 66 Express Lanes outside the Beltway.
Allowing large trucks to use the 66 Express Lanes outside the Beltway can:
The project includes 11 miles of new shared-use paths for bicycles and pedestrians, and will connect with several existing and planned shared-use facilities in the region, helping complete a regional trail network.
For other segments, VDOT is working to identify an implementation and funding plan with our local partners.
The locations of proposed shared-use paths are shown on the concept plans.
The three existing trails below are located on roadway bridges that pass over I-66 and will remain open throughout construction.
The project provides a feasible way of incorporating a future Metrorail extension from the existing line along I-66 to Centreville, as well as between Manassas and Gainesville, by preserving the center median, as well as by building wider and larger bridges over the highway.
Until an extension of Metrorail is approved, the project is providing a variety of transit and ride-sharing services, including park and ride lots, high frequency bus service, and bicycle and pedestrian access to meet the demands of the corridor.
Further widening of I-66 to accommodate transit between Centreville and Manassas would occur in the future, dependent upon funding and demand.
This approach is consistent with the transportation plans of both Fairfax and Prince William counties, which include the extension of Metrorail within the I-66 right of way.
At this time, Metrorail is focusing on ensuring that equipment and facilities are in a state of good repair, increasing system capacity by purchasing and implementing eight car trains across the system and improving core capacity.
Metrorail does not anticipate any extensions of the system until these priority projects are completed.
For more information on Metrorail's current high-priority operations and maintenance program, see their SafeTrack plan.
For more information on Metrorail's plans to improve service by 2025, see their Momentum report.
Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is currently working on a planning and project development study for the Gainesville-Haymarket Extension.
The $295 million project is not currently funded in the region's fiscally constrained Long Range Transportation Plan.
For more information, see the VRE System Plan.
| Right of way acquisition |
Fall 2017 |
| Construction | Winter 2017/2018 - Winter 2022 |
| Begin tolling | Winter 2022 |
| Express Lanes open | November 2022 |
