Skip to main content

Two months later: How are people using the Beltway Express Lanes?

By WTOP Staff

Ari Ashe, wtop.com

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Nearly two months after the Beltway Express Lanes opened, drivers have mixed experiences.

“I love them. It has cut my commute from Burke to Falls Church in half. Now it only takes me about 25 minutes to get to work,” says Sari Lerner, who teaches at a Falls Church elementary school.

“I’ve only taken one trip on them to get familiar with them,” says Gabe Goldberg of Falls Church.

So far, most people seem to side with Goldberg.

During the first six week of operation, an average of 23,308 workday users have driven on the lanes, according to Transurban data released on Friday.

“Demand at this point in the ramp up phase is lower than anticipated as local traffic patterns and user preferences adjust,” says Transurban spokeswoman Pierce Coffee. “While the initial numbers are below expectations we believe that it will take a minimum of six months of operations to establish any reliable trends. We are pleased with the effectiveness of the tolling system as well as the positive feedback we have heard from customers.”

Goldberg says he wants to use the Express Lanes, but only if they will save him time.

“The problem is that I cannot tell what the toll lanes will do for me until I’ve already committed,” says Goldberg. “VDOT and Transurban need to show people with all the signs approaching the toll lanes what they’ll get on them. Either how long it will take on the main Beltway or how much time you’ll save by taking the toll lanes.”

Goldberg points to other locations along I-66 and I-95 in both Virginia and Maryland that offer drivers how long it’ll take to get to various landmarks.

If that information were available, Goldberg says he would definitely use the lanes more.

“For me, they’re worth it. A lot less stress and peace of mind,” says Lerner.

“Sitting in a car for an hour after a long day of work is not what you want to be doing. ”

As far as accidents, those numbers have gone down.

Virginia State Police says between Dec. 1, and Jan. 5, there were seven crashes on the Beltway Express Lanes.

Those seven crashes are out of 170 total in the region during that same period.

“The northbound entrance below Braddock Road (Springfield entrance) has been the Achilles Heel since the opening in November, but has also seen major improvement,” Sgt. Kerry Allander of Virginia State Police tells WTOP.

“Through signage, additional lane markings, physical barrier modifications and media campaigns, driver behavior has been much more desirable. Future modifications are currently being considered and we are hoping by spring these will be put in place.”

“Many travelers have adjusted to the new travel patterns and have become more aware of the Express Lanes entry points since opening,” says Coffee, who encourages drivers to go online to learn about the lanes before using them.

Lerner was one of those who did just that, waiting more than a week before she took her first trip.

“I made sure to do my research about where I’d be getting on, where I’d be getting off. I also pay attention to the signs. I feel they are very clearly marked,” says Lerner.

“If I can spend a little bit of money and avoid gridlock on the Beltway, I would definitely use the Express Lanes. I would look at that as causing less wear and tear on my car, and on my psyche,” says Goldberg.

Follow @AriAsheWTOP and @WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2013 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote