If High Occupancy Toll lanes are placed on Interstates 395 and 95 in Northern Virginia, their private-sector operator would be required to assure average speeds of only 45 mph, reports Lillian Kafka with the Manassas Journal-Messenger.
The Virginia Senate Transportation Committee decided not to up that average speed to 55 on Thursday.
“We believe it is going to be too difficult to maintain that 55 mph average speed,” said Keith Martin, policy director at the Virginia Department of Transportation. “It may discourage companies from partnering with us.”
Or, he added, it could raise the variable rate tolls even higher than they could already increase as the HOT lanes become more congested.
Interesting question: Which would the public prefer, faster lanes and higher tolls, or slower lanes and lower tolls?
Here’s my question: Why is the Virginia Senate Transportation Committee making this business decision? Why isn’t that left to Fluor/Transurban?