Law Enforcement Conducting HOV Reversal Exercise Wednesday

UPDATE: The test was concluded at about noon Wednesday.

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If you see an increased law enforcement presence around HOV lanes Wednesday, don't be alarmed.

Local, state and federal law enforcement along with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are conducting a multi-jurisdictional HOV Reversal Exercise, according to a news release from Virginia State Police.

The exercise was set to start at 11 a.m. Wednesday and should not affect routine traffic flow within the Northern Virginia region, according to VSP.

Those traveling along Interstates 95, 395, 495, and 66 can expect to see an increased presence of local, state and federal law enforcement personnel and VDOT Safety Services Patrol personnel at various exit ramps and locations. 

The exercise requires law enforcement to report to their designated locations to test deployment practices along the interstate system between Northern Virginia and Caroline County, Va. In addition, this operation facilitates the interoperability of communications systems among the participating agencies.

To minimize any impact on traffic, the exercise is timed to correspond with the regular, mid-morning HOV ramp closures. As soon as the first responders have confirmed their location and presence, they will be dismissed from that location.

“This is a ‘no-notice’ event, meaning that the first responders have not been apprised of the exercise in advance,” said Virginia Secretary of Public Safety Marla Graff Decker. “The purpose of this traffic management exercise is to test and evaluate the preparedness of first responder agencies throughout the National Capital Region. Geography, population and infrastructure make being able to execute a plan of this nature a critical necessity for the safety and protection of everyone living, working and visiting the region in the case of a manmade or natural disaster.”

Participating agencies include Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, City of Alexandria Police, Arlington County Police, District of Columbia Department of Transportation, Fairfax County Police, Metropolitan Police, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Pentagon Force Protection Agency and Prince William County Police.