Study Looks at Alternatives to Driving to Ease I-66 Congestion

The Virginia Department of Transportation is looking at a variety of modes of transportation – – to help ease congestion along the Interstate 66 corridor.

A second public information meeting on the Intermodal I-66 Study was held Wednesday night in the Arlington County administrative building, 2100 Clarendon Blvd.

The $2.5 million study was conducted in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation along with seven different independent consulting agencies. It follows on the footsteps of two other studies from the past decade, said VDOT spokeswoman Valerie Pardo.

The past studies have resulted in such projects as the Vienna Metro access ramp and spot improvements at the Glebe Road and Westmoreland Road exits of the Custis Memorial Parkway. The state’s latest approach is more comprehensive because it is focused on improving mobility among multiple modes, Pardo said.

From past studies, stakeholder interviews and market research, a set of key issues and needs were determined: eastbound congestion, capacity issues at interchanges, non-HOV users during HOV operation hours, Orange Line congestion, challenges to transferring between different modes of transportation and limitations in bicycle and pedestrian accessibility.

I-66 has a maximum traffic flow of 4,750 vehicles per hour westbound and 5,250 vehicles per hour eastbound between exits 67 and 69, according to 2007 data.

The highway was deemed overcapacity in the westbound direction in the morning rush hour, from 6:30 to 9 a.m., from exits 69 to 71. It was also deemed overcapacity in the eastbound direction during the morning rush hour from exits 67 to 72, and from exits 66 to 71 in the evening rush hour, 4 to 6:30 p.m.

A crowd of approximately 40 people attended an hour-long presentation on the study Wednesday night.

“I’ve been learning more talking to people out here,” said Ellen Keating, who attended because she lives close to the highway.

Allen Muchnick, president of the Arlington Coalition for Sensible Transportation, was among those expressing disappointment at the end of the presentation with the lack of time for questions and answers.

Muchnick said he expected “an open mike event with the opportunity to exchange comments and learn from each other.”

Bud Siegel, VDOT’s county government liaison, urged complainants to address their concerns to technical staff members directly.

The next public meetings are tentatively scheduled for April 2012 after recommendations have been drafted.