66 Express Outside the Beltway/ Transform 66 Outside the Beltway
I-66 Express Mobility Partners
Project Overview: The Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project (66 OTB) is a groundbreaking public-private partnership (P3) that reimagined 22.5 miles of one of Northern Virginia’s most congested highways into a multimodal corridor that improves mobility, expands travel options, and enhances safety. Stretching from I-495/Capital Beltway to Route 29 in Gainesville, the project was executed through a 50-year DBFOM P3 agreement between the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and I-66 Express Mobility Partners (I-66 EMP), a consortium of Cintra, a Ferrovial company, Meridiam, and APG. The initial $3.7 billion investment is the first of its kind, including an upfront $579 million concession fee used to support 16 additional local transportation infrastructure projects in the northern Virginia region, all at no cost to the Commonwealth taxpayer. Completed ahead of schedule, 66 OTB delivers lasting economic, operational, and social benefits to Northern Virginia. With a goal of moving more people, not just more cars, it represents not only a transformation in transportation infrastructure, but a long-term investment in the region’s future. Effective Contract Management and Partnership Working Overtime: Delivered ahead of schedule, the 66 OTB demonstrates strong contract oversight, transparency, and long-term collaboration with VDOT. -I-66 EMP is responsible for all operations and maintenance of the express lanes, including winter weather response. I-66 EMP performs winter maintenance on the express lanes, while VDOT handles the general-purpose lanes. To ensure efficiency and corridor-wide mobility, I-66 EMP developed a coordinated snow operations plan with VDOT helping VDOT achieve more efficient operations during winter storm events. -Monthly coordination meetings with VDOT focus on operations and safety initiatives and ensure efforts are aligned and messaging is consistent across customer-facing channels and media. These meetings foster a collaborative environment between I-66 EMP and VDOT to share ideas and implement improvements, such as the wrong-way driver detection system using LiDAR and ramp pylons. -I-66 EMP self-reports all incidents, inspections, and safety data to VDOT to support transparency and continuous improvement. I-66 EMP also actively participates in quarterly VDOT-led meetings with Northern Virginia toll operators to share regional safety trends and initiatives. -A contract funded by EMP provides dedicated Virginia State Police patrols on the express lanes, supporting rapid incident response and enhancing roadway safety. -I-66 EMP maintains a direct, integrated relationship with Virginia E-ZPass and VDOT through our Customer Service and Disputes Resolutions teams that work closely with their counterparts on transaction processing and customer dispute resolution. I-66 EMP actively participates in quarterly Virginia Toll Facilities Group meetings and maintains a direct line of contact with key E-ZPass leaders. -I-66EMP chairs a statewide HOV policy task force composed of representatives from all Virginia tolling facilities with the goal of bringing greater clarity and consistency to HOV rules across the Commonwealth to improve the customer experience. -I-66 EMP’s Payment Solutions initiative is a one-of-a-kind proactive customer-first outreach program that helps resolve outstanding toll balances before court involvement. The program educates users on proper set up and use an E-ZPass account. Judges in Fairfax and Prince William Counties have recognized the initiative as a proactive approach that prioritizes customer understanding and accountability. Strong Partnering Relationships with End User Endorsements and Flexibility: I-66 OTB remains committed to improving transportation options and outcomes for users throughout the operations phase. This includes: -Coordination with commuter bus agencies to ensure toll-free travel in the express lanes, supporting efficient and reliable transit service. -Annual transit operations funding, provided solely by EMP and dispersed by DRPT (Department of Rail and Public Transportation), supports enhanced commuter bus service along the corridor. -Close coordination with VDOT and Fairfax County DOT to deliver the Monument Drive Parking Garage and Transit Center—a $43 million project fully funded through I-66 EMP’s upfront concession payment. -Collaboration with WMATA, regional transit providers, and other managed lane operators to support seamless system integration and improved user experience. -Collaboration with VDOT and other operators to ensure fair and seamless enforcement and operations for the public. -Efficiency improvements of toll operations system that processes tens of thousands of transactions daily to support operations and improve customer experience. -Utilization of AI-driven platforms to ensure effective billing across multiple segments and vehicle classes. Select end-user testimonials: -“The 66 Express lanes have made a huge improvement for my business. Time is money for me. The more time my crews spend sitting in traffic, the less time they spend serving my customers. The time and frustration that we save by taking the express lanes more than pays for the cost of the tolls.” – Marty Nohe, Owner, The Appliance Connection Select endorsements from elected and appointed officials: -“The I-66 Outside the Beltway project is a national example of a multimodal solution providing not only a world-class, traffic congestion-reducing roadway but also pedestrian and biking trails and park-and-ride facilities for enhanced Metro access. All made possible by marketplace competition and collaboration between the public and private sectors.” - former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters -“They will transform travel along the I-66 corridor. But more importantly, the lanes are going to transform the quality of life for Virginians.” -Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin Project Performance Beyond Expectations -I-66 OTB delivers on the promise of providing faster, more reliable travel along one of Virginia’s most congested corridors, while successfully managing the effective capacity of the corridor. -I-66 OTB has increased throughput of people – not just cars – by 20% since the express lanes opened, while highway volume is 11% higher than pre-construction levels. -Additionally, peak-period speeds on I-66 OTB average 68 mph on the express lanes and 50 mph on the general-purpose lanes, a 13-mph improvement and a 57% decrease in travel time since opening. That’s a 19-minute trip on the managed/express lanes or 26-minute trip on the general-purpose lanes (30% decrease) compared to a 44-minute trip pre-construction. Demonstrated Social Impact and Transformative Community Benefits I-66 OTB improved corridor mobility and multimodal access through: -Constructing more than 4,000 new park-and-ride spaces spread over two new lots, plus a new garage/transit center with direct express lanes access funded by EMP’s concession payment. -Constructing 18+ miles of new shared-use bike/pedestrian paths, including the 11-mile 66 Parallel Trail in Fairfax County, connecting to existing local trail networks. -Toll-free 24/7 express lane access for commuter buses, school buses, HOV3+ carpools, and motorcycles—supporting more than 27,000 bus trips/month, 23 daily Fairfax County school bus routes (transporting 400+ students), 12,000+ daily HOV3+ trips, and 860+ daily motorcycle trips. -Long-term EMP-funded support ($340M (NPV)) for regional bus transit operations and capital needs, administered by DRPT, and $350M (NPV) for other future I-66 corridor transportation improvements. -I-66EMP’s $579M concessionaire fee provided for an additional 16 regional multi-modal investments, including two mixed-use trails that provide connections to the EMP built 66 Parallel Trail, improvements to the VRE Manassas Line, and two new and expended bus facilities. Community Investment and Impact -I-66 OTB has built strong, ongoing community partnerships with local nonprofits and the school foundations for Fairfax and Prince William Counties, delivering meaningful impact across public safety, STEM education, food security, environmental stewardship, and support for military veterans. -To date, I-66 EMP has contributed over $600,000 to these causes—funding STEM camps, mobile labs, maker spaces, teacher grants, weekend food packs, clothing kits for children, and after-school programs that build future leaders. -Public safety is a key focus of our outreach, including partnerships with Drive Smart Virginia and ThinkFast Interactive to educate young drivers on the dangers of distracted driving and promote lifelong safe driving habits. Select endorsements from community partners: -"Prince William County Public Schools' students and families greatly benefit from active, engaged business community partners like I-66 EMP. We appreciate their continued support, and we are excited to see the creativity these new maker spaces will spark in our students." Design Success and User Engagement -I-66 OTB was designed to improve commute reliability, safety, and quality of life. Working with VDOT, I-66 EMP implemented Alternative Technical Concepts that added six new connections, increasing access and boosting express lane usage by 26%. -In the 2024 customer survey, 84% had a positive experience and 73% said 66 Express offers good value. Commuters report less stress and more reliability. -Park-and-ride lots and shared-use trails built by EMP, and new commuter bus transit routes supported by direct EMP annual funding, support carpooling and transit, cutting vehicle miles traveled and improving air quality. Lasting Value for Northern Virginia The Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project is a world class infrastructure project whose forward-thinking delivery and operation has delivered far beyond traditional expectations and set the tone for the P3 industry. By embracing innovation, maximizing private investment, and prioritizing the community at every turn, I-66 EMP and its partners have reshaped mobility in Northern Virginia while continually reinvesting in its people.