CHESAPEAKE, Va. — High occupancy tolling operations will start full-time on I-64 Hampton Roads Express Lanes segments in Chesapeake and Norfolk on March 17, beginning at 5 a.m.
The high occupancy tolling will be 24/7, requiring an E-ZPass transponder for all vehicles using the Express Lanes.
Full-time express lanes tolling operations will offer more travel options and improve travel times.
Express Lanes provides the option to use free general-purpose lanes or choose to pay a toll for each Express Lanes segment with a standard E-ZPass transponder or an E-ZPass Flex switched to "HOV-Off."
For vehicles with two or more occupants, the Hampton Roads Express Lanes are free with a required E-XPass Flex transponder switched to "HOV-On."
There will be a month-long free introductory period for motorists to familiarize themselves with the newest I-64 Express Lanes, which opened on Feb.18 between the I-664/I-264 interchange in Chesapeake and the I-264 interchange in Norfolk.
In addition, the existing I-64 Norfolk Reversible Express Lanes located between the I-264 and I-564 interchanges will also transition to full-time, continuous high-occupancy tolling operations.
The option for all motorists to continue using the free general-purpose lanes in both HREL segments remains the same.
Toll prices for each Express Lanes segment are based on traffic conditions and are adjusted every 5 minutes. Price adjustments are helping to manage congestion and improve traffic flow in both the general purpose and Express Lanes.
When congestion rises in the Express Lanes, toll prices increase to reduce the number of vehicles in these lanes, aiming to manage traffic flow and maintain travel time reliability.
HREL toll revenues stay local and will be managed by the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission ) to support tolling system operations and maintenance costs, the development of the Express Lanes network, and continued interstate improvements in Hampton Roads.