This roadway is known as "I-66 Inside the Beltway". It was built in 1982 [1], and runs from I-495 in Dunn Loring/Merrifield in the west to the Theodore Roosevel

This roadway is known as "I-66 Inside the Beltway". It was built in 1982 [1], and runs from I-495 in Dunn Loring/Merrifield in the west to the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge in the east, and except for short stretches, is generally two normal lanes wide in both directions. Prior to this most recent announcement, at directional peak times, only HOV-2 vehicles (and special exceptions) were allowed [2]. Similarly, for a few additional hours on either side of the peak time, the corresponding shoulder lane is open for some sections as an additional travel lane. Now, during peak times, all cars need an E-ZPass-compatible transponder of some sort to enter [3][4]. Outside of peak times, anyone can enter. If you're HOV-2 and wish to avoid paying a toll, you need a switchable 'E-ZPass Flex', which has a physical switch on it to assert that you're currently HOV. It's largely enforced by the honor system and vigorous police presence. When it gets scanned and asserts that you're HOV, there is no assessed toll and the road is free. If your Flex is set to non-HOV, you get charged the current toll. If you have a regular, non-switchable E-ZPass transponder, you get assessed the toll, regardless of your vehicle's actual HOV status. [1] http://www.dcroads.net/roads/I-66_VA/ http://www.dcroads.net/roads/I-66_VA/ [2] https://web.archive.org/web/20171018010139/http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hov-novasched.asp https://web.archive.org/web/20171018010139/http://www.virgin... [3] http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hov-novasched.asp#I-66HOV-2TwoorMorePeople http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hov-novasched.asp#I-66HOV-...