495 Express Lanes announced the launch of a three-month car giveaway contest designed to accelerate the adoption of E-ZPass and the new E-ZPass(r) FlexSM among Northern Virginia drivers in anticipation of the Express Lanes opening later this year. The lucky winner will custom-design his or her own MINI from Passport MINI of Alexandria.
To enter the contest, participants must register their E-ZPass on the 495 Express Lanes website - www.495ExpressLanes.com/winaMINIhttp://www.495ExpressLanes.com/winaMINI - by August 31, 2012. Drivers who do not currently have an E-ZPass can visit the 495 Express Lanes website to learn where to get an E-ZPass, register on the Express Lanes website and enter to win the MINI. Complete rules and regulations are available on the 495 Express Lanes websitehttp://www.495expresslanes.com/winamini.
The MINI giveaway is part of an educational campaign to prepare Virginia Beltway travelers for the new travel option coming on the Capital Beltway. The 495 Express Lanes will provide new options for a faster, more predictable trip on the Capital Beltway in Virginia and help drivers control how and when they get to their destination. To keep traffic moving at free flowing speeds, drivers will need an E-ZPass to use the Express Lanes - there are no toll booths or options to pay cash. Carpoolers will need the new E-ZPass Flex to ensure a toll-free trip on the Express Lanes. The E-ZPass Flex will be available in July.
The 495 Express Lanes are two new high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes in each direction from the Springfield Interchange to just north of the Dulles Toll Road on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway. The 14-mile Express Lanes will be free for carpoolers with three or more people, buses, motorcycles and emergency vehicles. Other drivers may pay a toll for a faster, more predictable trip.
The 495 Express Lanes are on schedule to be completed in late 2012 and will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In addition to providing drivers with an option for a more predictable trip, the 495 Express Lanes will include three new Beltway entry and exit points meaning a safer and more direct route to popular locations in Tysons Corner and Merrifield.