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Posted: 9/21/2017 8:23:15 AM EDT
http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/vdot-testing-i-66-toll-lanes
So, I have been driving I-66 for 25 years. I pay the extra sales tax "to fund transportation" I pay the extra gasoline tax "to fund transportation". I leave for work @5am so I can play by the rules and be at the Pentagon before 6:30am 
Now, I have to get an "EZ-Pass" (from the same people that brought you Anal-Eeze no doubt) and pay up to $17 PER DAY for the privilege of driving the roads I already pay for so I can get to a job I hate just to make the money I need to pay for my car, my fuel (both needed to get to the job I hate) my property taxes, sales tax, and tuition for private school because I want my kids to receive an education NOT an indoctrination from the public schools 
Seriously, this is the tipping point. If this goes into effect, it will no longer make sense for me to live/work in Northern Virginia. I will retire and move to Florida, taking my taxable income with me. My job will NOT be back-filled (RIF) and Virginia will lose that State income tax, personal property tax and sales tax that I currently pay and they use to support illegal aliens, drug addicts and the stupid, lazy welfare scum! 
(not directed at the good people of Virginia, whom I love) |
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Posted: 9/21/2017 10:20:56 AM EDT
[#1]
I retired in 2008 and moved from NOVA to rural eastern Virginia. 3 shooting ranges, good neighbors. FNOVA!
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Posted: 9/21/2017 2:21:55 PM EDT
[#2]
Sounds like you need an alternative route or you have to pay. I think I read somewhere that if the tolls don't ease the traffic in 5? years, they will use eminent domain and widen the road.
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Posted: 9/21/2017 10:47:40 PM EDT
[#3]
From what I have read the tolls will only be during HOV hours. IF you are already commuting before HOV hours you will not have to pay a toll.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/testing-of-high-occupancy-toll-system-on-i-66-gets-underway/2017/07/17/4f0aa00e-6b03-11e7-9c15-177740635e83_story.html Beginning in December, drivers who travel at peak times in the peak direction will need an E-ZPass transponder to pay the toll or an E-ZPass Flex transponder set to “HOV” so they can claim the free ride in a carpool of at least two people. Currently, that portion of I-66 is restricted to vehicles with two or more occupants during peak times in the peak direction. The changes will allow solo drivers to use the road if they pay the toll. |
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Posted: 9/22/2017 6:33:17 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
From what I have read the tolls will only be during HOV hours. IF you are already commuting before HOV hours you will not have to pay a toll. |
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Posted: 9/22/2017 8:48:36 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
But the problem is they keep extending when HOV hours are, the better question now is when are they not? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
From what I have read the tolls will only be during HOV hours. IF you are already commuting before HOV hours you will not have to pay a toll. "When tolls begin in December, rush-hour HOV rules for all lanes of I-66 between the Beltway and Rosslyn will expand from today’s hours of 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. eastbound and 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. westbound, to permanent new hours of 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. eastbound and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. westbound." Essentially no matter how I adjust my hours, I will fall within one of those time periods. For myself, 66 is the the most direct route, as I can get off @110 right at the Pentagon (I am not .mil BTW). My alternate routes add mileage, fuel consumption, time and will likely become even more congested (how is that even possible) with the addition of more drivers like me in the same circumstance. This new scam has nothing to do with funding transportation or relieving traffic or even "reducing carbon foot prints". This is about getting more money from people that work so politicians can hand it out to the people that don't!
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Posted: 9/22/2017 2:42:45 PM EDT
[#6]
When does this start in December?
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Posted: 9/22/2017 3:26:23 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
When does this start in December? |
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Posted: 9/22/2017 4:24:15 PM EDT
[#8]
My state delegate just sent out this in an e-mail.
Dear Friends,
I wanted to inform you that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) unveiled its new website, 66ExpressLanes.org, to educate motorists regarding tolling inside the Beltway, which is set to begin this December. The website illustrates the necessity of getting an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex, and discusses other changes that are coming with the opening of new express lanes. The tolling of these lanes will be in effect Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. eastbound, and 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. westbound. In addition to 66ExpressLanes.org, VDOT will roll out a multi-faceted education program this fall that will include media events, news stories, advertisements, briefings and other strategies to prepare motorists to use the express lanes tailored to their individual needs. More information can be found at 66ExpressLanes.org and Transform66.org As always, if I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or by phone at (703) 815-1201. Regards, Tim I've been surprised that the western commuters don't do slug lines like the I95 corridor does. Maybe they will now. |
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Posted: 9/22/2017 4:27:26 PM EDT
[#9]
I have to go into DC twice a week for the next month or two. I leave from Gainesville area and hit C street/Congress (going past the pentagon), I leave my house around 0450-0500 and leave work around 14:15-ish if anyone on here wants to try buddying up. I doubt it will work out with someone on here, but you never know.
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Posted: 9/23/2017 1:27:42 AM EDT
[#10]
Yea. Don't add any additional general usage lanes. Just toll lanes. Didn't seem to work too well for 495 where they charge varying and obscene toll rates for the hot lanes. Obvious cash grab is obvious and corrupt.
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Posted: 9/23/2017 8:22:46 AM EDT
[#11]
So no more hybrid exemption and the toll start i assume from 495 inbound?
I can remember how bad of it cluster fuck it was on Wilson blvd & George mason and Washington blvd lee hwy outbound at 3pm and don't miss it at al |
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Posted: 9/23/2017 9:25:32 PM EDT
[#12]
The best part of all is that most of the money is going into the pockets of McAuliffe's big contributors.
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Posted: 9/24/2017 12:09:18 PM EDT
[#13]
When 66 first opened it greatly decreased the street traffic through Arlingtoon.
Arlingtoon spent years delaying the construction of 66 inside the beltway. Washington Blvd routinely backed up on the 2-lane sections from what is now Sycamore St. (Sycamore did not exist at the time) to Glebe Road. As traffic has increased and little has been done to improve flow the jams on Washington are pretty much back again. The addition of restrictions on 66 have likely not helped either. Even 66 has backups before the HOV restrictions start and for a while after they end. At least Arlingtoon politics have changed enough to realize that traffic jambs do nothing to improve air quality in the county. |
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Posted: 9/25/2017 5:01:18 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
From what I have read the tolls will only be during HOV hours. For now. Plus, 66 hot lanes are phase 3 of 5 across Virginia. And as much as I hate to say it, to be fair to McGov, we can thank Mark Warner for this cash grab. |
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Posted: 9/25/2017 5:05:36 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
At least Arlingtoon politics have changed enough to realize that traffic jambs do nothing to improve air quality in the county. Not by much. I was at a council meeting in 2015 (or 2016) and the head of the transportation team was updating on progress of "calming" traffic at the Glebe Rd and Spout Run exits. From memory, their goal was to get measured actual speed to an average of 15 MPH for a 6 block radius around the exits, through the means of speed bumps, hawk crossing lights . . . . . Everyone on the board thought it was a dandy idea. |
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Posted: 9/25/2017 8:50:29 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Not by much. I was at a council meeting in 2015 (or 2016) and the head of the transportation team was updating on progress of "calming" traffic at the Glebe Rd and Spout Run exits. From memory, their goal was to get measured actual speed to an average of 15 MPH for a 6 block radius around the exits, through the means of speed bumps, hawk crossing lights . . . . . Everyone on the board thought it was a dandy idea. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
At least Arlingtoon politics have changed enough to realize that traffic jambs do nothing to improve air quality in the county. Everyone on the board thought it was a dandy idea. |
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Posted: 9/26/2017 11:11:52 PM EDT
[#17]
The speed limits thing on 66W is fucking moronic. 50,45,35. And guess where the traffic congestion is? On the west coast, they do not play games with 5-10mph incremental changes in the speed limit, people merging onto the freeway actually accelerate and merge, much less problems.
Virginias highways are micromanaged and poorly. |
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Posted: 9/28/2017 11:19:48 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So no more hybrid exemption and the toll start i assume from 495 inbound? I can remember how bad of it cluster fuck it was on Wilson blvd & George mason and Washington blvd lee hwy outbound at 3pm and don't miss it at al -Stooxie |
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Posted: 9/29/2017 8:26:05 AM EDT
[#19]
I leave Sterling/Potomac Falls at 0600 and get into L'Enfant by 0645.
I take Rt. 7 E, cut over to McLean/Chain Bridge rd. and hit the GW parkway by the CIA. Tried taking 66 a few times, what a clusterfuck. 
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Posted: 9/29/2017 12:51:57 PM EDT
[#20]
The GWMP is going to take most of the traffic. It will be another parking lot. David
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Posted: 9/30/2017 12:41:41 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The GWMP is going to take most of the traffic. It will be another parking lot. David The fact it is a national park notwithstanding. |
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Posted: 9/30/2017 1:51:02 PM EDT
[#22]
Eventually the tolls will be 24/7, like the HOT lanes on 95. I used to always jump on them before or after rush hour when they were just express, and save a lot of time, don't have that option anymore. And the traffic in the main lanes outside of rush hour is now much worse, while the HOT lanes sit mostly empty. It's a pipe dream, but they need to eliminate the tolls outside of rush hour. This stretch is now officially the worst traffic in the USA,
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Posted: 10/3/2017 2:36:57 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The GWMP is going to take most of the traffic. It will be another parking lot. David |
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Posted: 10/3/2017 5:13:01 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
it already is a parking lot during rush hour. I'm moving from arlington to alexandria soon--not looking forward to hitting the parkway everyday to and from work |
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Posted: 10/4/2017 11:22:03 PM EDT
[#25]
Pardon my ignorance, but how do They know if your transponder is switched to HOV or not? Not that it matters, but mine stays on HOV and that is because I rarely use it when I have less than 4 in the vehicle when I use it. Is it like red light infractions where they pinch one occasionally? I find it hard to believe most people are "honest" about their use of the switch...but I'm happy to be wrong.
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Posted: 10/5/2017 5:49:31 PM EDT
[#26]
Outside of visual inspection by a trooper, I am not sure. If they issued a ticket due to some sensor not picking up 3+ bodies, then i would fight it and leave the burden of proof on them. They did nail some FBI agents earlier in the year for larceny related to putting their transponder into HOV mode while commuting with their government cars, but I doubt the troopers had photos of the agents cars for hundreds of incidents.
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Posted: 10/6/2017 11:22:32 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Pardon my ignorance, but how do They know if your transponder is switched to HOV or not? Not that it matters, but mine stays on HOV and that is because I rarely use it when I have less than 4 in the vehicle when I use it. Is it like red light infractions where they pinch one occasionally? I find it hard to believe most people are "honest" about their use of the switch...but I'm happy to be wrong. So the light flashes when the EZPass is off and an officer has to be present to look for the passengers as the car goes by. I wonder when they will just put a camera on a pole to take a side shot? David |
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Posted: 10/6/2017 1:40:49 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
“That light is used to indicate when an … E-ZPass is designated as HOV and that will be used for enforcement purposes. A law enforcement officer at each gantry will be able to see that light go off where he or she sits and then be able to look into the car and confirm that it is an HOV-2 vehicle,” Baxter says. So the light flashes when the EZPass is off and an officer has to be present to look for the passengers as the car goes by. I wonder when they will just put a camera on a pole to take a side shot? David Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Pardon my ignorance, but how do They know if your transponder is switched to HOV or not? Not that it matters, but mine stays on HOV and that is because I rarely use it when I have less than 4 in the vehicle when I use it. Is it like red light infractions where they pinch one occasionally? I find it hard to believe most people are "honest" about their use of the switch...but I'm happy to be wrong. So the light flashes when the EZPass is off and an officer has to be present to look for the passengers as the car goes by. I wonder when they will just put a camera on a pole to take a side shot? David My wife used to get nailed over and over with an infant in the back seat. The sender barks a different code number depending on the mode it is in. |
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Posted: 10/7/2017 5:26:55 AM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So no more hybrid exemption and the toll start i assume from 495 inbound? I can remember how bad of it cluster fuck it was on Wilson blvd & George mason and Washington blvd lee hwy outbound at 3pm and don't miss it at al -shooter |
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Posted: 10/17/2017 6:12:17 AM EDT
[#30]
So, who in this thread has the plates "6locks" with Glock stickers all over their car?
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Posted: 10/17/2017 11:37:26 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So, who in this thread has the plates "6locks" with Glock stickers all over their car? Someone who doesn't OPSEC/PERSEC much? -shooter |
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Posted: 10/17/2017 11:44:51 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Someone who doesn't OPSEC/PERSEC much? -shooter Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
So, who in this thread has the plates "6locks" with Glock stickers all over their car? -shooter |
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Posted: 10/18/2017 3:39:37 AM EDT
[#33]
So is there a way a Lawyer could bring up a Lawsuit on this? You know hurting the little guy? Is this not taxation without representation? Lower property taxes I guess?
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Posted: 11/16/2017 7:35:01 PM EDT
[#34]
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Posted: 11/16/2017 7:54:15 PM EDT
[#35]
They aren't actually making 66 any better. They are just increasing their ability to extract money.
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Posted: 11/17/2017 11:44:36 AM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So is there a way a Lawyer could bring up a Lawsuit on this? You know hurting the little guy? Is this not taxation without representation? Lower property taxes I guess? |
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Posted: 11/17/2017 12:29:57 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So is there a way a Lawyer could bring up a Lawsuit on this? You know hurting the little guy? Is this not taxation without representation? Lower property taxes I guess? Maybe if they could follow the $ back to Mark Warner, and bill off a %. |
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Posted: 11/17/2017 1:52:36 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
They aren't actually making 66 any better. They are just increasing their ability to extract money. Truth. This will make it far worse. And instead of buying a hybrid, had this option existed 9 years ago (when I bought my first one) I would have bought a non-hybrid car and put the savings into tolls. It is just going to trade a bunch of Prius (and now other vehicles) for those willing to pay tolls. When the clean fuel plate started, there were about 4 eligible models of car to crowd 66. Now, the only filter is a few dollars - which is actually a LOT of dollars over the course of the year. I am glad I pretty much stopped commuting into DC/North Arlington 4 years ago. -shooter |
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Posted: 11/17/2017 2:50:58 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
They aren't actually making 66 any better. They are just increasing their ability to extract money. |
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Posted: 11/17/2017 9:36:48 PM EDT
[#40]
Not to mention they are supposed to start building the new HOV lanes on 66 outside of 495 in the near future too.. that will be a cluster all in itself.
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Posted: 11/18/2017 9:40:22 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
They aren't actually making 66 any better. They are just increasing their ability to extract money. |
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Posted: 11/19/2017 6:27:07 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I honestly think this is in part to replace the money lost on the Dulles Toll road. NOVA pumps a lot of money down to Richmond. I think turning the Dulles Toll road revenue over to pay for the airport metro has put a serious dent in someone's wallet. I believe a lot of the 495 HOV expansion was privately funded too so 100 percent of that money doesn't go to Richmond. I think tolling 66 is just turning the faucet back up. David Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
They aren't actually making 66 any better. They are just increasing their ability to extract money. |
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Posted: 11/19/2017 6:29:21 PM EDT
[#43]
See you guys there around 5:30 tomorrow?
Fuck my life, almost done with this shitty commute. |
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Posted: 11/21/2017 11:30:49 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
From what I have read the tolls will only be during HOV hours. IF you are already commuting before HOV hours you will not have to pay a toll. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/testing-of-high-occupancy-toll-system-on-i-66-gets-underway/2017/07/17/4f0aa00e-6b03-11e7-9c15-177740635e83_story.html Beginning in December, drivers who travel at peak times in the peak direction will need an E-ZPass transponder to pay the toll or an E-ZPass Flex transponder set to “HOV” so they can claim the free ride in a carpool of at least two people. Currently, that portion of I-66 is restricted to vehicles with two or more occupants during peak times in the peak direction. The changes will allow solo drivers to use the road if they pay the toll. Leaving at 5:00 am should not impact you in anyway. Leaving at 7:30 means you can drive into DC as a single driver and pay a toll. Think of it as the lanes on 495 beltway...during peak traffic you get to drive 65 and pay a fee and worry about VSP in the express lanes. However after 7:00pm you get to drive 80+ in the regular lanes and not pay a fee at all and not be concerned about the VSP. |
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Posted: 11/22/2017 7:33:14 AM EDT
[#45]
Yeah, but this might make non-HOV hours traffic worse and it's still ridiculous.
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Posted: 11/23/2017 12:05:20 AM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Its all about the cameras. My wife used to get nailed over and over with an infant in the back seat. The sender barks a different code number depending on the mode it is in. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Pardon my ignorance, but how do They know if your transponder is switched to HOV or not? Not that it matters, but mine stays on HOV and that is because I rarely use it when I have less than 4 in the vehicle when I use it. Is it like red light infractions where they pinch one occasionally? I find it hard to believe most people are "honest" about their use of the switch...but I'm happy to be wrong. So the light flashes when the EZPass is off and an officer has to be present to look for the passengers as the car goes by. I wonder when they will just put a camera on a pole to take a side shot? David My wife used to get nailed over and over with an infant in the back seat. The sender barks a different code number depending on the mode it is in. |
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Posted: 11/23/2017 12:20:29 AM EDT
[#47]
THis whole thing is stupid. Atleast 395 and 495 have regular lanes to use. 66 as an all or none is completely ridiculous and screws over the majority of people who use it.
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Posted: 11/23/2017 12:35:36 AM EDT
[#48]
Any of you actually thought about living close to where you work? Life is too short to spend it sitting in a car not moving.
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Posted: 11/23/2017 10:30:04 AM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Any of you actually thought about living close to where you work? Life is too short to spend it sitting in a car not moving. |
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Posted: 11/23/2017 3:18:54 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
No, that’s never occurred to any of us. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Any of you actually thought about living close to where you work? Life is too short to spend it sitting in a car not moving. |
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