The Virginia Department of Transportation says more sections of the I-66 Express Lanes will open this month. Westbound I-66 Express Lanes between I-495 (Capital Beltway) and Route 28 are scheduled to open next Saturday, Nov. 19. Eastbound lanes of this section are expected to open as well by the end of November.

Drivers can expect to pay tolls on the I-66 Express Lanes, and prices will vary depending on traffic. However, drivers can be exempt from tolls if they drive eligible high occupancy vehicles (HOVs) and have an E-ZPass Flex in “HOV On” mode. At least two people need to ride a vehicle for it to be considered a HOV. Starting Dec. 5, however, HOVs will require at least three people per car, as is the norm for other express lanes in Northern Virginia.

The upcoming sections will be the last to open as part of the $3.7 billion  Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project, which includes new express lanes, parking spaces, and biking and pedestrian trails. The project is a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and I-66 Express Mobility Partners.

Construction began in late 2017 and the project is ahead of schedule. The last opening was on Sept. 10, of the westbound section of the Express Lanes between Gainesville and Route 28 in Centreville.

Drivers can find out here to learn more about how to access the Express Lanes and payment options.