Beltway Toll Lanes Get Another Approval

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   from www.wtop.com

	

	

	D.C. Area Close to Getting Toll Lanes

	Updated: Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2005 - 5:37 PM

	

	By HEATHER GREENFIELD

	Associated Press Writer

	

	WASHINGTON - A debate over HOT lanes became heated at Wednesday's Transportation Planning Board meeting.

	

	The board added its support to a plan that would expand part of the Capitol Beltway in Virginia to as many as 12 lanes. But that came only after members argued over where the toll profits - if any - should go.

	

	The HOT lanes would run from the Springfield Interchange to Georgetown Pike. Dubbed "Lexus Lanes" by some, the toll lanes have been controversial since the Virginia Department of Transportation proposed them.

	

	During Wednesday's debate, 10 board members wanted to add language directing that any profits from the proposed lanes go for public transit.

	

	"Transit needs to be a part of what we do, not an afterthought," said board member Catherine Hudgins, representing Fairfax County, Va., where the lanes would be located.

	

	TPB chairman Phil Mendelson asked to change the language to specify that if there were profits, "the surplus should be directed" to Metro. Mendelson acted following complaints about what others called "vague" or "watered down" language that said in the event of a surplus, "consideration should be given" to public transportation.

	

	Jo Anne Sorenson, representing VDOT, opposed the change - saying the committee worked hard on the exact wording to give them flexibility to build roads instead.

	

	Mendelson's amendment failed 14-10 with nearly all Maryland members opposed. That led Arlington County, Va., member Chris Zimmerman to accuse Maryland members of opposing anything that would weaken their bargaining position in any future debates over the Intercounty Connector.

	

	"This isn't about transit at all. It's about roads and it's about one road (the ICC)," Zimmerman said. "It shows the fundamental weakness of this regional body as a planning body - which it isn't."

	

	The ICC - on the drawing board for decades - would link Montgomery and Prince George's counties, north of the Beltway.

	

	The board also outlined goals including using electronic toll collection, and varying the amount of the toll depending on the time of day. Buses and car pools would ride free.

	

	AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman Lon Anderson said he initially opposed the idea of drivers paying tolls.

	

	"It's a shotgun wedding, but we are at the alter," Anderson said. "We are no longer cold or lukewarm on HOT lanes - we support it. We have to find a solution to traffic."

	

	VDOT estimates the project will cost almost $899 million.

	

	(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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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 Topic: Beltway Toll Lanes Get Another Approval Posted: 20 Apr 2005 at 5:39pm
	from www.wtop.com D.C. Area Close to Getting Toll Lanes Updated: Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2005 - 5:37 PM By HEATHER GREENFIELD Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - A debate over HOT lanes became heated at Wednesday's Transportation Planning Board meeting. The board added its support to a plan that would expand part of the Capitol Beltway in Virginia to as many as 12 lanes. But that came only after members argued over where the toll profits - if any - should go. The HOT lanes would run from the Springfield Interchange to Georgetown Pike. Dubbed "Lexus Lanes" by some, the toll lanes have been controversial since the Virginia Department of Transportation proposed them. During Wednesday's debate, 10 board members wanted to add language directing that any profits from the proposed lanes go for public transit. "Transit needs to be a part of what we do, not an afterthought," said board member Catherine Hudgins, representing Fairfax County, Va., where the lanes would be located. TPB chairman Phil Mendelson asked to change the language to specify that if there were profits, "the surplus should be directed" to Metro. Mendelson acted following complaints about what others called "vague" or "watered down" language that said in the event of a surplus, "consideration should be given" to public transportation. Jo Anne Sorenson, representing VDOT, opposed the change - saying the committee worked hard on the exact wording to give them flexibility to build roads instead. Mendelson's amendment failed 14-10 with nearly all Maryland members opposed. That led Arlington County, Va., member Chris Zimmerman to accuse Maryland members of opposing anything that would weaken their bargaining position in any future debates over the Intercounty Connector. "This isn't about transit at all. It's about roads and it's about one road (the ICC)," Zimmerman said. "It shows the fundamental weakness of this regional body as a planning body - which it isn't." The ICC - on the drawing board for decades - would link Montgomery and Prince George's counties, north of the Beltway. The board also outlined goals including using electronic toll collection, and varying the amount of the toll depending on the time of day. Buses and car pools would ride free. AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman Lon Anderson said he initially opposed the idea of drivers paying tolls. "It's a shotgun wedding, but we are at the alter," Anderson said. "We are no longer cold or lukewarm on HOT lanes - we support it. We have to find a solution to traffic." VDOT estimates the project will cost almost $899 million. (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

dickboyd Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote dickboyd Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Apr 2005 at 2:05am
	quote: Originally posted by Bob [br]from www.wtop.com D.C. Area Close to Getting Toll Lanes Updated: Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2005 - 5:37 PM By HEATHER GREENFIELD Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - A debate over HOT lanes became heated at Wednesday's Transportation Planning Board meeting. The board added its support to a plan that would expand part of the Capitol Beltway in Virginia to as many as 12 lanes. But that came only after members argued over where the toll profits - if any - should go. The HOT lanes would run from the Springfield Interchange to Georgetown Pike. Dubbed "Lexus Lanes" by some, the toll lanes have been controversial since the Virginia Department of Transportation proposed them. During Wednesday's debate, 10 board members wanted to add language directing that any profits from the proposed lanes go for public transit. "Transit needs to be a part of what we do, not an afterthought," said board member Catherine Hudgins, representing Fairfax County, Va., where the lanes would be located. TPB chairman Phil Mendelson asked to change the language to specify that if there were profits, "the surplus should be directed" to Metro. Mendelson acted following complaints about what others called "vague" or "watered down" language that said in the event of a surplus, "consideration should be given" to public transportation. Jo Anne Sorenson, representing VDOT, opposed the change - saying the committee worked hard on the exact wording to give them flexibility to build roads instead. Mendelson's amendment failed 14-10 with nearly all Maryland members opposed. That led Arlington County, Va., member Chris Zimmerman to accuse Maryland members of opposing anything that would weaken their bargaining position in any future debates over the Intercounty Connector. "This isn't about transit at all. It's about roads and it's about one road (the ICC)," Zimmerman said. "It shows the fundamental weakness of this regional body as a planning body - which it isn't." The ICC - on the drawing board for decades - would link Montgomery and Prince George's counties, north of the Beltway. The board also outlined goals including using electronic toll collection, and varying the amount of the toll depending on the time of day. Buses and car pools would ride free. AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman Lon Anderson said he initially opposed the idea of drivers paying tolls. "It's a shotgun wedding, but we are at the alter," Anderson said. "We are no longer cold or lukewarm on HOT lanes - we support it. We have to find a solution to traffic." VDOT estimates the project will cost almost $899 million. (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Profits? Meaning collecting more money than operating and construction costs? If there is any money, it should go to PAY slugs to ride. Part of the payment in better parking, part in shorter commute times. METRO? What does that have to do with transportation? dickboyd@aol.com

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: 21 Apr 2005 at 12:25pm
	Unfortunately, the HOT proponents are very sophisticated the way they are doing this. The first phase is to get the Beltway approved where there is not a great deal of opposition since there are no existing HOV lanes and they are putting down new concrete. Then, after this is approved they will be able to say. "Oh, we have to do 95 now because we need the entire system." Very cagey and I see exactly what they are doing.

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: 29 Apr 2005 at 9:52am
	Associated Press article below from the WJLA-TV 7 website: "Beltway To Get Va. Toll Lanes Friday April 29, 2005 6:35am Virginia transportation officials have taken the next step toward a speedier ride on the Beltway, signing a deal with two private firms to build high occupancy toll lanes, or HOT lanes. The deal calls for adding two lanes in each direction of the Beltway between Springfield and Georgetown Pike near the Maryland border. The lanes would be separate from the rest of the highway, and would free for vehicles containing three or more people. Other drivers would pay to use them. Tolls would increase with the amount of traffic. She state is paying nothing up front for the new lanes. The private companies will recoup the $900 million cost of the project by getting part of the toll revenue. Officials say construction could start as soon as next year." Keep on sluggin'! [:)]

VA4ver Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote VA4ver Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Apr 2005 at 10:17am
	Question about this plan, this is for 495 to Maryland. This won't impact I95/395 will it? Even though once you get one toll road in place I could see the powers that be pushing for HOV to convert. Also do people realize that it's going to take 5+ years to get the road built and all the inconveniences that come with it? It's going to make traffic worse before making it supposedly better.

Wagonman Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wagonman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Apr 2005 at 6:11pm
	How has the state gotten around the whole usual procurement process of putting this out to bid? Since, in essence, they are leasing state property shouldn't there be a formal bid process instead of this sole source deal? How do we know this is the best deal? How is the state commiting to these two companies without even having the details worked out? The whole thing has a bad odor. Sign a deal without details so when the sordid details come out later its already to late for people to oppose it. So much for open government...

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: 01 May 2005 at 8:56am
	Re: Beltway HOT lanes Here is part of an article from the Norfolk paper that brings out some additional info on the companies. http://www.hamptonroads.com/pilotonline/ Toll lane project on Capital Beltway advances Associated Press � April 30, 2005 Last updated: 8:58 PM The project was proposed several years ago by Fluor Enterprises Inc., but Fluor�s plans initially called for the state to cover a portion of the costs. State officials said no such money was available. The issue was resolved when a second investor, Transurban (USA) Inc., signed a deal Thursday to pay at least 15 percent of the construction costs � an estimated $135 million � that supplants the anticipated state funding from the initial proposal. The addition of a second private investor raises the possibility that toll operators will have to charge higher tolls so that all parties can receive a reasonable return on their investments. Three years ago, Fluor, in its initial proposal, had estimated tolls of $1 to $4, with the higher tolls at peak demand times. State officials said that if all goes well, construction could begin in late 2006 or early 2007. From there, it would take 4� to five years to complete. HOT lanes were considered for Hampton Roads in the mid-1990s when the Federal Highway Administration promoted the idea. The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission developed a basic plan for the region, but state transportation officials rejected it out of concern that tolls would discourage people from using high-occupancy lanes, which were then new.

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 May 2005 at 1:03pm
	Editorial in Potomac News RE Beltway HOT Lanes http://www.potomacnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WPN/Page/WPN_SectionFront&c=Page&cid=1047671212722 Excerpt of interest Adding HOT lanes to the beltway is a big deal. Support for creating toll lanes between Springfield and Tysons, however, should not be a segue for the state to transform HOV lanes on the I-95/I-395 corridor into toll lanes. That idea has been dangled in front of VDOT for years, but popular support remains illusive. The current HOV lanes that run from lower Prince William County into Washington, D.C., are well traveled by carpoolers. Adding toll payers to the mix won't help that situation.