Capital Beltway Study

Full Study | Alternatives

8 General Purpose & 2 Express Toll Lanes:

This alternate would provide one additional concurrent flow (no barrier separation) lane per direction that would be tolled.

• Typical section would include eight general purpose lanes and two Express Toll Lanes.
• Tolls would vary based on traffic conditions or time of day so the Express Toll Lanes would not become congested.
• Tolls would be collected using electronic toll collection (ETC), eliminating the need for tollbooths.
• There would be a four-foot paved buffer separation between Express Toll Lanes and general purpose lanes.

This alternate would offer drivers the choice to select a non-congested route by using the Express Toll Lanes. The alternate would provide lanes for generally congestion-free Express Bus service. Although this alternate provides a more cost effective option with the use of Express Toll Lanes, it has limited revenue because there is only one toll lane in each direction. In addition, the inability to pass vehicles in the toll lane will reduce travel timesavings.

SHA is recommending this alternate be carried forward for further detailed study.