News and notes from Reston (tm).

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Tysons On $7 A Day: Toll Road Rates Going Up Again

Starting January 1, the cost of a round-trip ride to the wonders of Tyson via the Toll Road will be $7, though for a change those of us slumming it going the other direction to Herndon or (shudder) Sterling won't pay more:

Tolls on the Dulles Toll Road will increase to $2.50 beginning Jan. 1 for passenger cars at the main toll plaza.

That’s an increase of 75 cents over the current rate, $1.75. Toll rates at the on and off ramps will remain $1.
Another bit of exciting news: As of now, there are no toll hikes planned for 2015.

Of course, the solution to all this is to merely use the Silver Line instead, which was conveniently scheduled to open in January, allowing us all to avoid the fare hikes on the Toll Ro-and, oh, right.

In what is rapidly becoming a Restonian Holiday Tradition(tm), let's see what you could buy in Tysons for under $7:

TeesWow, a bargain, even at fancypants Aeropostale! Too bad it expired back in August.

SpecialHmm. We're starting to see a trend here.

GlitterIf you don't mind a little walking, you can also hike down the median strip of 123 to this high-end retailer in Vienna. You can buy all these things and still have enough left over for a beer at this fine establishment!

And, of course, the cosmopolitan, Paris-like atmosphere is totally free! Compare that to this giant rip-off:

Eiffel14.5 Euros? We'll stick with the Toll Road at a fraction of that cost, the end.

8 comments:

  1. Anyone want to take bets on the increase in "backtrack" traffic along the Dulles Access highway?

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  2. It is already happening, Convict. Not to mention the very discernable increase in traffic on local streets near the Toll Road, especially heading towards Tysons/Vienna.

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    Replies
    1. Peasant From Less Sought After South RestonDecember 19, 2013 at 9:28 PM

      I please guilty as charged, Officer Friendly, on the count of shun-piking in the second degree (second degree because I shunpike in non-rush hour). About once a month or so I have to go into Washington in off hours, and instead of using the Toll Road to get to Rt. 123 and then Chain Bridge, I have been taking Lawyers into Vienna and catching 123 from there. Including travel to other destinations where in the past I would have used the Toll Road, I estimate I've saved over $100 this year from my very modest travels.

      $2.50 a roundtrip was worth paying a while back to use the Toll Road, but no way am I going to pay nearly triple that amount.

      Delete
  3. Yeah, I know it's increasing. It used to bother me that I had to add an additional 15 minutes to my commute when I drive to work, but now that additional 15 minutes each way equates to $14/hour. For $14/hour, I'll drive a little longer and pay a few shekels more for gas at the airport gas station in order to stay legal.

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  4. That's not an increase, it's robbery! Insane!!!

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    Replies
    1. It's time to revolt! This BS has to stop!

      OCCUPY DTR! Just stop a few yards from the toll booth, shut off the engine, and have a cigar ;)

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    2. Sure dude... We'll see you bitching and moaning about more raises in DTR in a few more years.

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    3. I don't have a problem with the redistribution of wealth. I'm OK with chipping-in for the less-fortunate to be able to take public transit instead of clogging up the roads and smoking up the air with old jalopies.

      However, I am very much against corrupt basterds getting rich in the process, and every time there is a sizable sum of money changing hands this happens.

      Hey, we're still better off than most. Baltimore tunnels $4, Tydings bridge $8 (going North), DE $4, DE Memorial bridge $4 (going South), New Joysey?! Fugedaboudit!

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