A group of Northern Virginia officials wants to guarantee that proposed lane changes do not slow down mass transit in the region — and are willing to delay the project to make sure their concerns are met.

At issue is the proposal from two private companies to convert the existing two high-occupancy vehicle lanes on Interstate 95 and Interstate 395 from Dumfries to the Pentagon into three high-occupancy toll lanes. The prices would vary by the time of day, with motorists paying the most during peak rush-hour times. Vehicles with three passengers, buses and emergency vehicles could use the lanes for free.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission wants to ensure the companies are legally committed to preserving mass-transit capabilities during and after construction of the HOT lanes, maintaining safety levels and properly clearing accidents and other traffic jams.

Before the private companies can proceed with the project, they must have permission from the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, a federally created group that coordinates transportation priorities.

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Local officials want the planning board to put off approval of an agreement with the companies over the project’s guidelines slated for this month if the board cannot draft a pact that includes the guarantees and penalties if the conditions are not met.

“This project is so important we want to make sure we do it right from the beginning,” said NVTC Chairman David Snyder. “We want to make sure our issues are addressed up front in ways that are enforceable and not with verbal assurances. It will mean specific provisions in the agreement. We are not trying to delay it. We want to make sure it is done right.”

Fairfax County Supervisor Catherine Hudgins is a member of the commission and the chair of the regional planning board, so it is likely the commission’s concerns will receive great weight. Hudgins did not return a message left Friday seeking comment.

jrogalsky@dcexaminer.com