If you’re headed out of town this Memorial Day weekend, then most likely you’re bracing yourself for traffic.
As part of preparing for the holiday traffic Transurban, the company that owns and operates the Express Lanes, will be closing the northbound 95 Express Lanes and I-395 HOV lanes at 10 a.m. for morning reversal, starting May 25.
“The early closure will enable southbound travelers to enter the 95 Express Lanes around 11:30 a.m., one hour earlier than the current schedule. Overnight weekday reversals will continue to take place from about midnight to 2 a.m. The schedule will remain in place throughout the summer,” stated a release.
Because of the anticipated traffic volume starting May 25 through the evening on May 26, drivers should expect to see higher than usual toll prices on the Express Lanes, according to a release.
Here are Transurban’s travel tips and weekend reversal schedule:
When to go:
The busiest getaway travel times on the regular I-95 lanes and the 95 Express Lanes before Memorial Day weekend in 2016 were Thursday and Friday between noon and 6 p.m. Delays were worse on Friday. We expect those periods will again face the heaviest travel volumes
To avoid higher-than-average tolls and peak traffic, drivers should depart before noon on Thursday or after 6 p.m. on Friday
95 Express Lanes Memorial Day weekend reversal schedule:
Thursday, May 25: Southbound reversal begins one hour earlier at 10 a.m.
Friday, May 26: Southbound reversal begins at 10 a.m.
Saturday, May 27: Normal operations – Lanes reverse to northbound at 2 p.m.
Sunday, May 28: Northbound Lanes will close around 7:30 a.m. to support Rolling Thunder. The Rolling Thunder event will access the Lanes via Opitz Boulevard with the support of Express Assist crews. The Lanes will re-open around 11 a.m. again in the northbound direction after the Rolling Thunder riders have exited from the I-395 HOV lanes to the Pentagon
Monday, May 29: Express Lanes remain northbound all day
Tuesday, May 30: Normal operations – southbound reversal begins around 10 a.m. with Lanes opening by about noon
On the road:
An advisory sign before the Quantico/Joplin Road exit will alert Express Lanes drivers to any delays ahead on the Lanes
Drivers can then decide whether to exit the Lanes at Joplin Road or continue to the end of the 95 Express Lanes near Garrisonville Road
If delays increase, signage before the Joplin Road exit will advise travelers to exit to the regular lanes
Express Assist crews will be available to help drivers who get stuck on the Lanes
Riding with family or friends? If you have at least two passengers in your vehicle, don’t forget to put your E-ZPass® FlexSM in HOV mode for a toll-free trip
Stay up to date:
Use the Express Lanes mobile app to check real-time toll prices and traffic cameras before departing
Follow the Express Lanes on Twitter @VAExpressLanes for updates
