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95 Express Lanes opening announced

By Ari Ashe

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Before a crowd of several hundred people Wednesday, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced the 95 Express Lanes will open this weekend, with toll collection beginning on Monday, Dec. 29.

The governor called the project a game changer that will dramatically improve commutes for drivers in Northern Virginia and keep the region viable for economic growth and development.

“There is really only one state that matters in the United States of America. When Virginia grows, America grows,” McAuliffe joked.

McAuliffe also renewed his call for the U.S. Department of Transportation to help fund high-speed rail between D.C., Fredericksburg, Richmond and Hampton Roads. He says such a project would augment the impact of the 95 Express Lanes, giving commuters options to quickly get between the nation’s capital and Virginia’s capital.

“The good news is that Virginia gets that it is in the middle of a growth tsunami. The population will grow by 100 million people in the U.S. by 2050. Without providing good mobility choices, folks will be even more stuck in traffic in the future. You get it. You’re taking steps to get ahead of it,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

The $940 million project was built under a public-private partnership, according to the Associated Press.

Between Dec. 14 and Dec. 28, the Express Lanes will be open to the general motoring public, including a new 9-mile stretch between Triangle and Dumfries plus new entrance and exit ramps. The standard HOV rules will continue during those two weeks and no tolls will be collected. Rush hour restrictions will be enforced along the entire 29-mile stretch.

On Monday, Dec. 29, at approximate 2 a.m., the 95 Express Lanes will officially launch northbound with tolls being collected for all non-HOV users. Any HOV3+ users must have an E-ZPass Flex switched to HOV ON mode for a free trip.

“We are now convinced that not only will the (high-occupancy toll) lanes not damage the carpooling system or the slugging system in Northern Virginia, but in fact, it will add significant improvements to it,” says Corey Stewart, Prince William County Board of Supervisors chair.

Transurban and Commuter Connections have been reaching out to sluggers and other carpoolers along the Interstate 95 corridor, including at many popular commuter lots, to assist commuters in registering for an E-ZPass Flex.

“To the Northern Virginia communities, the countdown is on. Now is the time to get ready for the 95 Express Lanes. If they haven’t already, they need to get their E-ZPass Flex today,” says Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova.

For those non-high occupancy vehicles, the same HOV restrictions will apply until Dec. 29. Beginning that Monday morning, solo drivers will be able to take the 95 Express Lanes at any hour, any day. However, these drivers will a pay a toll using a traditional E-ZPass, properly funded and mounted to the front windshield, at all times.

Motorcycles get to ride the lanes for free at all times.

Hybrids with special clean fuel plates can continue to ride the 29-mile stretch until Dec. 29 at all hours. After Dec. 29, hybrids will not be able to get a free trip on the 95 Express Lanes unless they are HOV3+ with an E-ZPass Flex.

Even after Dec. 29, the stretch along Interstate 395 from Edsall Road to the D.C. border will continue as traditional HOV lanes. Between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. heading north, toll-paying customers must exit the 95 Express Lanes at Turkeycock Run or risk getting a $50 ticket.

Motorists with questions about the 95 Express Lanes can check out our FAQ page to submit a question and find answers.

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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
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