Thursday, March 28, 2024

VDOT opens temporary E-ZPass center to prepare drivers for Express Lanes

The new Express lanes will convert these segments of HOV lanes on I-64 in Norfolk (Courtesy of VDOT)
The new Express lanes converted these segments of HOV lanes on I-64 in Norfolk (Courtesy of VDOT)

NORFOLK — Are you ready to use the new Interstate 64 Express Lanes?

The Virginia Department of Transportation is making it easier to buy the equipment needed to use the new tolled route by opening an extra E-ZPass customer service center to help drivers.

The reversible Express Lanes opened at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. The redesigned High Occupancy Vehicle lanes are meant to alleviate some of Hampton Roads’ thickest traffic from I-564 to just before the I-264/I-64 interchange, according to VDOT.

Drivers will need an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex transponder to access the new lanes during peak hours when they will be tolled. Peak times are in effect from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. westbound and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. eastbound, according to VDOT.

Wednesday’s starting toll rate was 50 cents for single drivers using their E-ZPass. Drivers who want to ride toll-free during peak hours must have at least one passenger, and have their E-ZPass Flex transponder switched to the “HOV on” setting.

Outside of peak hours drivers will not need an E-ZPass or meet HOV requirements to drive in the lanes.

The temporary new E-ZPass customer service center is in the Midtown Shopping Center, located at 124 East Little Creek Road in Norfolk. Employees at the location can sell E-ZPass transponders, exchange transponders for E-ZPass Flex devices and help customers with their accounts, according to VDOT.

The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. It will also be open on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

This story was published in partnership with our sister publication, Southside Daily.

Sarah Fearing
Sarah Fearing
Sarah Fearing is the Assistant Editor at WYDaily. Sarah was born in the state of Maine, grew up along the coast, and attended college at the University of Maine at Orono. Sarah left Maine in October 2015 when she was offered a job at a newspaper in West Point, Va. Courts, crime, public safety and civil rights are among Sarah’s favorite topics to cover. She currently covers those topics in Williamsburg, James City County and York County. Sarah has been recognized by other news organizations, state agencies and civic groups for her coverage of a failing fire-rescue system, an aging agriculture industry and lack of oversight in horse rescue groups. In her free time, Sarah enjoys lazing around with her two cats, Salazar and Ruth, drinking copious amounts of coffee and driving places in her white truck.

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