Some commuters in Prince William County are less than enthusiastic about proposed high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on Interstate 95 and 395. If built, the lanes would replace the current HOV lanes. The paid lanes would run from Dumfries to the Pentagon, and then extend to Spotsylvania County to make a 56-mile toll road.

A third lane that will be squeezed between the two existing HOV lanes between Dumfries and the Pentagon has some commuters worried about safety and the possibility of traffic backups. The road will not be widened to accommodate the extra lane -- the pavement will simply be re-striped, leaving little if any shoulder. Commuters say traffic slow-downs will defeat the purpose of the lanes, increasing frustration without lowering commute times.

Homeowners in residential areas benefit from infrastructure that encourages easy commutes to urban areas, where many people are employed.

Read more in The Manassas News-Messenger....