The Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) network involve the conversion of existing HOV-2+ lanes into Express Lanes and the construction of new Express Lanes in both directions on I-64. Spanning approximately 45 miles, this Express Lanes network will extend from Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News to the I-264/I-664 Bowers Hill interchange in Chesapeake. The Express Lanes are designed to help alleviate congestion, provide more reliable travel times, and offer more options for solo drivers throughout the region’s interstate network along I-64.
The construction and operations of the Express Lanes network are divided into multiple segments, each with their own start and completion timelines.
As of March 2024, construction is underway on four projects contributing Express Lanes to the network, including the HRBT Expansion Project, the first phase of the HREL Norfolk Segment (1A), the Hampton Segment, and the I-64 Widening and High Rise Bridge Project in Chesapeake.
The HREL Chesapeake Express Lanes are open full-time, toll-free until March 17 from just east of the I-264/I-664 Bowers Hill interchange, across the High Rise Bridge and up to the I-264 interchange in Norfolk.
The existing I-64 Norfolk Reversible Express Lanes located between the I-264 and I-564 interchanges are open and currently operate 5 - 9 a.m. westbound and 2 - 6 p.m. eastbound Monday through Friday.
Full-time tolling operations will begin in Chesapeake on March 17, and the tolling operations schedule for the I-64 Norfolk Reversible Express Lanes will also transition to continuous high-occupancy tolling operations full-time.
Before entering the Express Lanes, overhead signs electronically display the toll amount for Express Lanes along your route, allowing time to choose to take the Express Lanes, or use the general purpose lanes for free. The price you see on the sign is the amount you will be charged while in the Express Lanes.
The speed limit for the Express Lanes is 65 mph.
During operating hours, solo drivers can use their E-ZPass. High-occupancy vehicles (2+ riders) have the option of using the E-ZPass Flex to travel toll-free in the Express Lanes. (E-ZPass Flex features a switch for HOV-2+ declaration and is available at the E-ZPass Customer Service Centers in Portsmouth and Norfolk, DMVs, and online by visiting www.EZPassVA.com.)
During operating hours, identify that there are two or more occupants in the vehicle by setting the E-ZPass Flex to “HOV ON.” There will be no charge to use the Express Lanes when they are not in operation. (E-ZPass Flex features a switch for HOV-2+ declaration and is available at the E-ZPass Customer Service Centers in Portsmouth and Norfolk, DMVs, and online by visiting www.EZPassVA.com.)
Yes. If you have two or more occupants in your vehicle (HOV-2+) and an E-Zpass Flex transponder, you can travel toll-free in the Express Lanes during operating hours. There will be no charge or HOV requirements to use the Express Lanes outside of operating hours. (E-ZPass Flex features a switch for HOV-2+ declaration and is available at the E-ZPass Customer Service Centers in Portsmouth and Norfolk, DMVs, and online by visiting www.EZPassVA.com.)
No. Motorcycles ride for free during operating hours. There will be no charge or HOV requirements to use the Express Lanes at other times.
VDOT will collect and retain the revenue earned from the Express Lanes. It will be used for continued improvements of the I-64 corridor, ensuring a smoother commute for years to come.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is in charge of collecting revenue.
If I have an E-ZPass, how can I trade it for an E-ZPass Flex? Will it cost me anything to make the trade?
There is no cost associated with exchanging your E-ZPass for an E-ZPass Flex. You may visit an E-ZPass Customer Service Center in Norfolk or Portsmouth to begin this process, call 1-877-762-7824 toll-free or visit www.EZPassVA.com. NOTE: Do not attempt to exchange your E-ZPass device for an E-ZPass Flex at an E-ZPass On-the-Go retailer. The retailer will not be able to facilitate the exchange.
Start by visiting www.EZPassVA.com. From there, you can find a link to E-ZPass Customer Service Center locations in Norfolk and Portsmouth. You can also find a link to our convenient E-ZPass On-the-Go retailers that sell E-ZPass and E-ZPass Flex devices.
You may also contact E-ZPass Customer Service by mail or phone:
P.O. Box 1234
Clifton Forge, VA 24422-1234
Phone: 1-877-762-7824
During operating hours, your Clean Special Fuel license plate will no longer provide you with an exemption from the HOV-2+ requirement on the aforementioned corridor of I-64. During operating hours, only buses, motorcycles and vehicles carrying two or more people will be able to use the Hampton Roads Express Lanes without paying a toll. Drivers traveling alone – even those with Clean Special Fuel license plates – will need to pay a variable toll to access the Hampton Roads Express Lanes during operating hours. You may continue to utilize the HOV exemption your Clean Special Fuel plate provides on certain HOV corridors that are not operating as Express Lanes.
When the Hampton Roads Express Lanes become operational, you will either need an E-ZPass or an E-ZPass Flex to access the lanes during operating hours and pay the variable toll. A regular E-ZPass can be used to pay your toll. An E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode allows vehicles with two or more occupants to travel on the Hampton Roads Express Lanes toll-free.
We understand you may have registered your vehicle with a Clean Special Fuel plate for the primary purpose of driving on the HOV lanes. Since they will no longer provide HOV exemptions in these corridors, we also understand that you may wish to exchange your Clean Special Fuel plates for standard plates. If you choose not to retain your Clean Special Fuel plates for the $25 annual fee, you may wait until it's time to renew and exchange your plates or exchange them early. If you have any questions regarding the exchange of your license plates, please contact the DMV by calling 804-367-0492.
The driver will not pay the toll; however, the driver will be subject to a citation for HOV violation issued by the Virginia State Police. A citation results in court action along with a potential fine. Accumulating HOV violations can result in points against a driver's license.
If paid via Missed-a-Toll within five days, the total owed is the amount of the toll + $1.50 toll violation. Between six and 36 days; a violation notice is generated, and it is the amount of the toll + $12.50 (for each transaction). Between 37 and 66 days; a second violation notice is generated, and it is the amount of the toll + $25.00 (each transaction) Between 67 and 120+ days; violation moves to collection and it is the amount of the toll + $35.00 (each transaction) A toll violation that is unsuccessful in the collections process moves to court which is the amount of the Toll + $35.00 + civil penalties.
At the time of entry, the switch must be in the correct position in order for drivers to be recognized as HOV-2+. A correction will not be issued.
If the vehicle's license plate is on the E-ZPass account, the toll will be applied to the account (called a VToll). There is a limit of how often this can occur before a $1.00 administrative fee begins to apply for each VToll. If the vehicle's license plate is not on the E-ZPass account, a violation transaction will be created. That will include a $12.50 administrative fee on the notice. IMPORTANT: Make sure your vehicle's license plate is on your E-ZPass account.
To travel toll-free when traveling as HOV 2+ with a bumper-mounted transponder, you must fill out the form to nominate your upcoming trip as HOV travel. You should complete the form at least 24 hours (Saturday and Sunday not included) before your trip and as far as one week in advance. Provide your transponder number and license plate number. We will register the upcoming trip as toll-free HOV to prevent a toll from being charged to your E-ZPass account. You can register periods of up to maximum of ten days for toll-free travel. HOV 2+ plus conditions must be met for all nominated trips to avoid citation and penalties.
To prevent from the inconvenience of contacting us to make the nomination, we strongly suggest to obtain E-ZPass Flex. Most vehicles now have the cut out to mount the transponder inside the car. Please contact the dealership or refer to your vehicle owner's manual to get accurate transponder placement location.