Transportation Links
New Lane Opens on I-95
Commuters and holiday shoppers on a 3-mile stretch of I-95 from the Occoquan River to the Springfield Interchange have another lane to travel as the first phase of the widening of the interstate has been completed, according to media reports.
The additional lane runs northbound from the Route 1 exit up to the Fairfax County Parkway. According to the state transportation department, 6,000 vehicles per hour travel north on this section of I-95 every morning, WTOP.com has reported.
The next phase of the project, the addition of a fourth lane of traffic on I-95 South from Springfield down to the Occoquan River, is scheduled to be completed fall 2010. The final phase, the addition of a lane to each side of the Occoquan River bridge, is expected to be completed in 2011.
Fairfax County OKs Metro Rail Tax District
Fairfax County supervisors have approved a special tax district that will help pay for the last three Metro stations in the Dulles corridor, WTOP reported recently
Commercial landowners in the area approved the additional real estate tax that is expected to raise $330 million for the project. The extension calls for a new Metrorail line from Falls Church through Tysons Corner, and from Reston and Herndon to Dulles Airport and Loudoun County.
It is the second tax district created to support the Dulles project; the first tax district is helping to fund stations already under construction in Tysons Corner and Reston.
Will Virginia Lawmakers Consider Gas Tax Hike?
As Virginia lawmakers prepare to meet in January for the 2010 General Assembly, speculation is running on the likelihood that raising the gas tax may be on the table.
The state faces a $4 billion budget deficit, requiring transportation agencies to come up with $851.5 million in reductions to administrative, operational, maintenance and construction programs to balance their budgets, according to VDOT.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, a McLean-based organization, said raising the gas tax in Virginia would produce the money for much-needed transportation projects, WTOP.com has reported.
If you would like to contact your legislator to provide your input on the transportation issue, visit the General Assembly’s Web site at http://legis.state.va.us/1_cit_guide/contacting_my.html.
GPS Traffic Study Finds DC Area Congested
GPS maker TomTom recently issued the results a study confirming what we already know: the DC area has some of the worst traffic in the country.
TomTom collected traffic data from anonymous, GPS-enabled drivers over the last year and found that Montgomery County ranks 4th as the most congested area behind Seattle, Los Angeles and Chicago. Congestion was defined as traffic moving at only 70 percent or less of the posted speed limit.
Other DC areas in the Top 25: DC ranked 7th, Alexandria 9th, Fairfax 13th and Arlington 21st.
Transportation Links
Final Public Meeting on Toll Road Rate Increase
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will hold its final public meeting on proposed toll rate increases on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at South Lakes High School in Reston.
The meeting takes place 5-8 p.m. and will include exhibits on the scope, cost and financing of the Dulles Rail extension; potential future Toll Road improvements; revenue anticipated to be raised from the toll increases and how it will be spent.
While there will be no opportunity to speak publicly (there will be no microphone), attendees can fill out a comment sheet or talk to a court reporter. You also can file your comments online through Sept. 14 at http://www.mwaa.com/tollroad/tolls_fees/toll_process/tollcomments.
The proposal calls for raising the the rate at the Main Toll Plaza from $.75 to $1.00 in January 2010, to $1.25 in 2011 and to $1.50 in 2012. Ramp rates will be increased from $.50 to $.75 in 2010, and remain at $.75 through 2012.
I-95/I-395 HOT Lanes On Hold
Rendering of proposed HOT lanes
Faced with an Arlington County lawsuit and the economic downturn, Virginia officials havea postponed a project to create high occupancy toll lanes on Interstates 95 and 395.
The project would expand existing HOV lanes from two to three lanes on the interstates, and extend two new lanes south to Massaponax. All the lanes would become HOT lanes, which would allow buses and carpools with three or more people free access but require other drivers to pay a toll that would vary according to traffic conditions.
Though the project’s total cost has not yet been determined, Virginia officials have determined that the state wouldn’t be able to borrow enough money to fund the project, according to a Washington Business Journal report.
The project also has faced opposition from affected jurisdictions, including Arlington County, which is suing over concerns about air pollution from the increased traffic, according to the Washington Post.
Dulles Rail Project Receives Stimulus Funds
Tysons West Metro Station rendering
The Dulles corridor Metrorail project is receiving $77.2 million in stimulus funds, which will be used to speed up the construction timeline and decrease finance costs, according to media reports.
The funds are part of $6.7 billion that will be used to improve transportation throughout the country under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The $5.25 billion Dulles Metrorail project is extending the Orange Line after East Falls Church into Loudoun. Currently, construction has begun to prepare for the Tysons East Metrorail Station at the southwest corner of Route 23, and several major traffic routes on Route 7 are being altered.
For the latest updates on project construction, visit www.dullesmetro.com.
