US transport engineers are on schedule to open next week a variable toll scheme with prices that rise as speeds drop below 45MPH. The variable tolls increase until enough drivers have been persuaded to quit the toll lanes and return to the adjacent free route, decreasing congestion and allowing average speeds on the tolled section to increase.

 

But cars containing three or more people will be able to travel for free on the these tolled High Occupancy Travel (HOT) lanes.

 

The tolls will provide payback for a $1.9Bn (£1.2Bn) private finance scheme being provided by Transurban and Fluor and which is adding the two HOT lanes in each direction in the centre of the Capital Beltway round Washington DC.

 

Construction began in summer 2008 and has involved the replacement of over 50 bridges and underpasses.

 

The scheme was outlined by American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials executive director John Horsley at the UK World Roads Association conference in Cardiff this month.

 

Funding for the 22.5km long project includes a £369M Transport Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Act loan, bond finance of £369M, £256M of cash from the Virginia Department of Transport and £220M of private equity.

 

“If there are three people in the car they travel for free,” said Mr Horsley. “But if there are two or less they pay a toll of between £3 and £3.75 for the whole route. But the toll is variable. Traffic in the HOT lane must be moving at 45MPH minimum. If the speed drops below that the price will increase until traffic levels drop and speeds pick up.”

 

Toll revenues on US roads have increased from £3Bn to £6Bn a year over the last decade and public private partnerships are an increasing option, Mr Horsley said. The US needs to increase its annual highway capital investment from £55Bn to £90Bn. Tolls and PPPs will help in the rapidly growing states in the south and west and in large metropolitan areas, he said.

 

More information at http://www.virginiahotlanes.com/