Capital Beltway Study

Full Study | Alternatives

8 General Purpose & 2 Express Toll Lanes At-Grade &
2 Express Toll Lanes, Elevated:

This alternate would provide two additional tolled lanes per direction - one per direction on elevated structure and one per direction at-grade.

• Typical section would include eight general purpose lanes and four elevated Express Toll Lanes. All lanes on the elevated structure would be tolled.
• All four additional lanes would be tolled.
• Tolls would vary based on traffic conditions or time of day so the Express Toll Lanes would not become congested.

This alternate would have numerous construction-related issues due to the elevated structure. It would include the construction of interchange ramps connecting to the elevated structures that may be over 80 feet high. It would have noise and aesthetic impacts associated with the elevated structure. In addition, the elevated lanes would have higher long-term maintenance costs than at-grade lanes. This alternate appears to have a prohibitively high cost.

SHA is recommending this alternate not be carried forward for detailed study.