Transform 66 Inside the Beltway Plans Launched

PLANS TO TRANSFORM I-66 INSIDE THE BELTWAY LAUNCHED
Virginia Secretary of Transportation and project leaders kick off project to provide congestion relief and support multimodal improvements

FAIRFAX – Virginia Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne today announced a plan to ease congestion on the traffic-clogged Interstate 66. Proposed improvements would move more people, enhance connectivity and provide new travel options on I-66, from I-495 (the Capital Beltway) to U.S. Route 29 in Rosslyn.

Tolling is proposed on this section of I-66 in both directions during rush hours to deliver free-flowing and more reliable travel, and support multimodal improvements that benefit I-66. Vehicles with three or more people would travel the lanes for free during peak periods, while other drivers would pay a toll to use the lanes. The lanes would remain free to all traffic during off-peak periods. 

“Drivers traveling on I-66 inside the Beltway face serious delays in both directions ranging from 2 to 5 miles each day,” said Layne. “Bus service and other transit options face connectivity challenges and are greatly impacted by this congestion and unreliability. Improving these conditions is going to take a transformation of the entire I-66 corridor, and it’s going to take more than one solution.  Governor McAuliffe is committed to implementing the right solutions to improve this vital transportation corridor.”

By converting the HOV lanes into tolled express lanes during peak periods, traffic would move more efficiently providing reliable trips for carpoolers, buses, and toll-paying drivers. Critical multimodal improvements will also be implemented within the I-66 corridor or on surrounding roadways. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) would manage the tolling.  Tolling during peak periods and the first group of multimodal improvements are expected to begin in 2017.

(VDOT) and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation are working closely with the region’s transit partners and surrounding localities to identify the most effective multimodal improvements.  Initiatives such as new priority bus routeson I-66, Route 29 and Route 50 are under consideration, as well as Metrorail station improvements at Ballston and East Falls Church, and the possibility of eight-car Metrorail trains.

For more information, go to www.transform66.org.