Virginia transportation officials looking into adjusting toll pricing on I-66 Express Lanes

WASHINGTON - Virginia transportation officials say they are looking into the adjustment of toll pricing for drivers on the I-66 Express Lanes inside the Beltway.

The Express Lanes went into effect in December and solo drivers traveling on the roadway during peak travel periods are charged a toll, which varies based on the volume of traffic.

On several instances, the tolls on the I-66 Express Lanes have risen above $40 for some drivers during the rush hour periods, drawing complaints from drivers and even Northern Virginia lawmakers.

Virginia's Office of the Secretary of Transportation said in part in a statement:

"Now that we have had some experience, we are looking for opportunities to move more people with lower tolls if possible. Multiple options are being considered including:

· Target speeds on I-66
· Information on how parallel roads are working
· Increased transit and carpool options

Officials also said they will be examining trends such as the differences of the traffic and tolling on different days and time periods.

"When looking at the tolling, we need to be careful to ensure performance is maintained," the Office of the Secretary of Transportation said. "This will be an ongoing initiative - not a one-time change. We expect the first modification to take place in the coming months."