In a historic financial turning point, $589 million in private activities bonds were issued for the first time by sponsors of the I-495 Capital Beltway High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes Project in Northern Virginia.

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USA Today reports that taking mass transit paves the way to a healthier lifestyle. Included in the article is Arlington’s own “car-free diet” which “urges residents to live "car-free" or "car-lite" — giving up their vehicles to ride Arlington Transit or the Washington, D.C., bus and subway system, bike or walk. Residents can use an online calculator to determine how many calories they’ll burn and how much money they’ll save by not having to gas up the car.”

Area density and comm ... Read More »

An article in the Loudoun Extra last week proved that persistence pays off when searching for a solution to traffic problems. A “zig-zag” intersection and questionable stop sign at Waxpool Road in Ashburn gave many commuters problems at Farmwell Hunt’s Faulkner Parkway. The problem was between some barriers and a stop sign that was not clearly visible.&l ... Read More »

The Washington Post, Washington Times, DC Examiner and other sources have reported on the controversy surrounding the funding and approval of the Dulles Metrorail extension. The solution for the ... Read More »

A recent article in the UK’s Times presents an upcoming technology that will have drivers overseas taking transportation laws just a little more seriously. A new smart-camera called dtect (codename: Cyclops due to its “one-eyed” appearance) is set to be put into place next month, with plans to expand over the coming year.

According to the article, the system can detect how many people are in a vehicle, allowing the authorities to fine anyone using a car-sharing lane without a passenger. It works in the dark and can even spot the difference between a real person and a dummy. Read More »

According to the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, on January 16, 2008, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) approved incorporation of I-66 inside the Beltway spot improvements and the I-95/I-395 HOV/Bus/HOT Lanes into the region’s 2007 Constrained Long Range Plan (CLRP) and 2008-2013 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

Public comment received on both projects was overwhelmingly positive by 100-1.

• 325 of the 328 (99.1%) of individuals or organizations registering their views during the 30-day public comment period supported the I-66 improvements.

• 342 of the 343 (99.7%) of individuals or organizations submitting comments supported the I-95/I-395 HOV/Bus/HOT Lanes
< ... Read More »
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According to a recent report from the Federal Highway Administration, Americans drove more than three trillion miles in 2006 (the most recent year statistics were available). However, this is not a number to celebrate, as what it most likely shows is “an indicator of overall traffic congestion nationally.”

This is the highest figure ever recorded for the nation and rep ... Read More »

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority approved a package at its January 10, 2008 meeting that included $50 million in scarce regional funds for trolleys, bike trails, sidewalks, parking garages, landscaping and similar investments.

The package includes many projects with merit including I-66/Vienna Metro Station access improvements, along with Prince William County Parkway, Route 1, Route 7 and Route 28 improvements and funds for new Fairfax Connector buses.

However, in allocating more than 25% of funding for projects with little or no regional significance, including $37 million for a trolley to replace an excellent existing bus service, the Authority is spending serious money on items that will do very little to reduce congestion.

(To read the Alliance’s testimony, < ... Read More »