Virginia officials hoping to ease congestion on Interstate 66 will open two high-occupancy vehicle ramps in Fairfax County to all westbound traffic during non-HOV hours. The ramps at Monument Drive and Stringfellow Road are now open only to HOV traffic during peak hours. The changes, which take effect Feb. 28, will open the ramps to all westbound traffic during off-peak hours, allowing Fairfax County commuters heading home in the evening easier access to Fair Lakes and Fairfax Corner. Eastbound commuters would not have access to the ramps.
“Opening these ramps is a low-cost solution to improve commute times for thousands of congestion-weary commuters in Fairfax County,” Gov. Bob McDonnell said. “Anyone who travels I-66 midday or weekends knows that congestion in this area is just as common outside of the traditional rush hours.”
VDOT estimates as many as 5,800 vehicles will use the Stringfellow Road ramp each day. About 2,400 vehicles are expected at Monument Drive.
Fairfax Supervisor Pat Herrity spent three years encouraging VDOT to open the ramps to all traffic.
“It’s just real inefficient to access I-66 from those two locations,” Herrity said. “The key is this is transportation infrastructure that’s been sitting there unused, and it’s going to save people time and money.”
Herrity still hopes that eastbound traffic will gain better access to the ramps as well and is lobbying VDOT to open shoulder lanes to travelers when I-66 is congested, even during off-peak hours.
