Virginia Continues Advances for Interstate 66 Corridor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2010
Contact: Stacey Johnson
Phone: (804) 225-4260
E-mail: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Virginia Continues Advances for Interstate 66 Corridor
Six-Year Improvement Program Projects Adopted by the Commonwealth Transportation Board
RICHMOND — Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) continued its support of his efforts to reduce congestion on I-66 at its meeting in Richmond on June 16th as it advanced $61 million in I-66 projects within the Fiscal Years 2011-2016 Six-Year Improvement Program.
Speaking about the projects, Governor McDonnell remarked, “I-66 represents a significant transportation corridor in Northern Virginia that must be improved to address congestion, maintain economic viability and improve quality of life. Addressing the transportation challenges that clog Northern Virginia’s roadways will require innovative thinking, dedicated and sustained investments, and a long-term vision. I am encouraged that the CTB is continuing to take actions that support this effort.”
Spot Improvements:
Last month, the CTB awarded a $10.2 million contract to complete the first of three phases of spot improvements on I-66 inside the Capital Beltway.
The project will connect the current westbound acceleration/deceleration lanes between George Mason Drive and Sycamore Street. The project begins at the Fairfax Drive ramp near George Mason Drive entrance ramp to the westbound roadway of I-66 and ends at the exit ramp to Sycamore Street — a distance of approximately 1.9 miles.
The entrance ramp acceleration lane and the exit ramp deceleration lane will be lengthened until they meet to form a continuous auxiliary lane between the two ramps. A new 12-foot wide shoulder will be constructed with full-strength pavement capable of carrying traffic during emergency situations. Current sound walls will not be disturbed as part of this project. Construction is slated to begin in late summer 2010.
Future improvements not part of the contract awarded in May are planned between Haycock Road and Westmoreland Street, and between Lee Highway and Glebe Road. These next phases of spot improvements will reduce congestion and travel times during peak periods, and increase safety by lengthening merge areas and reducing the risk of stop-and-go accidents.
The estimated cost for the second and third spot improvement projects is $49.6 million. These will be funded after the I-66 study included in the program.
For more information about these I-66 spot improvements and a map, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/i-66_spot_improvements.asp.
Future Studies:
Two studies that are fully funded in the adopted program will also assist with developing plans for future improvements on the I-66 corridor.
A multimodal study will identify and evaluate options to address the long-term mobility needs of the corridor, specifically the portion of the corridor from the Capital Beltway (I-495) east to the Virginia/District of Columbia border.
The study will examine a wide range of options including bus, transportation demand management (TDM), High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV), High Occupancy Toll (HOT), congestion pricing, managed lanes and road improvements. The study will build on the I-66 Transit/TDM study completed by the Virginia Department of Rail and Transportation in 2009.
The study will include objective technical analyses that address both demand and operational considerations. Changes in occupancy level for HOV, changes to time of day of HOV, tolling, integrated corridor management measures, additional HOV lanes, HOT lanes and additional general purpose lanes will be examined.
The goal of the $4 million effort is to identify feasible solutions to reduce congestion and improve mobility within the corridor and along major nearby arterial roadways.
A study is under way on the I-66 corridor outside the Beltway between I-495 and Route 15 pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The study will include an environmental impact statement that will identify transportation issues on I-66, anticipated future conditions, propose solutions and identify the environmental impacts of potential fixes along the corridor. This study will include public involvement before concluding with a decision on suggested improvements to the I-66 corridor. VDOT will work with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), other federal agencies and consultants to prepare the study.
It is expected to take approximately 32 months to complete the legally required analysis that meets NEPA standards. Allocations for this study are $20.3 million.
Identification of corridor needs will be based on existing information from previously completed studies, metropolitan planning organization documents and newly collected data. Potential solutions will be based on those needs and include the consideration of highway and non-highway solutions.