VDOT Studies Bi-Directional I-95 Express Lanes
The Virginia Department of Transportation is exploring around-the-clock express lanes on about 45 miles of Interstate 95 in Northern Virginia.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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The Virginia Department of Transportation is studying bi-directional, around-the-clock express lanes on approximately 45 miles of Interstate 95, which currently operate in one direction at a time. The Prince William Board of County Supervisors received an informational presentation on the feasibility study on October 20.
Why it matters
Under the current configuration, drivers traveling in the opposite direction cannot access the express lanes, so the study targets that limitation for corridor users across Virginia. Feasibility has not yet been determined, and the schedule and construction timeline remain uncertain.
The study covers about 45 miles of I-95, with three express lanes per direction from Franconia-Springfield to Prince William Parkway and two per direction southward, including a roughly 10-mile extension south of U.S. 17. Feasibility has not been determined and the construction timeline remains uncertain.
The players
Virginia Department of Transportation
VDOT is the state agency responsible for building and maintaining Virginia's highway network, including the I-95 Express Lanes.
Prince William Board of County Supervisors
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors is the governing body of Prince William County, which received the study presentation.
The details
The concept would convert the reversible express lanes into lanes operating in both directions around the clock. VDOT is collecting field data and conducting preliminary engineering and environmental studies, and a preliminary assessment indicated much of the work could proceed within existing rights-of-way. Officials plan public information meetings in 2027 and 2028, followed by a public hearing in 2028.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: Prince William supervisors received the feasibility presentation.
2027: Planned public information meetings begin.
2028: Planned public information meetings and a public hearing are scheduled.
Roadmap
The proposal extends the existing I-95 reversible express lanes, which currently run one direction at a time, toward bi-directional, around-the-clock operation across roughly 45 miles. It is an expansion of the current Northern Virginia managed-lane system rather than a new corridor.
Drivers in Northern Virginia currently cannot use the I-95 express lanes in the direction opposite the one in operation. If the concept advances, commuters could access the express lanes in both directions around the clock, though the timeline remains uncertain.
The takeaway
The I-95 study is still at the feasibility stage, so drivers should watch for the public information meetings planned for 2027 and 2028 before expecting any change to how the express lanes operate.
What happens next
Public information meetings are planned for 2027 and 2028, and a public hearing is scheduled for 2028.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Electric Vehicles news across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTOP.
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