Hank Silverberg, wtop.com

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Construction near the intersection of Interstate 66 and the Capitol Beltway has been a major problem for a while now but congestion has increased as the new High Occupancy Toll Lanes (HOT) get closer to completion.

A particular rough spot is right at exit 49 from the Outer Loop of the Beltway to I-66 west. The configuration has changed several times and now it’s going to change again. The two-lane ramp will become a one-lane ramp to create room for a third through lane on I-66 west.

That area has been a particular bottleneck in the afternoon rush hour.

Eventually there will be three through lanes and one High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane for westbound I-66.

Creating the third lane on I-66 west could ease the traffic flow in an area that is often congested. This latest work is scheduled for completion this summer.

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