The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is studying whether to extend the I-495 (Beltway) Express Lanes from the Springfield Interchange through the Alexandria area and across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
The primary options are whether to build Express Lanes on both sides or not, and if they are built, where to put entry points. "The goals and objectives of this study are to evaluate transportation improvements that extend and provide continuity of the Express Lanes system on I-495, provide additional travel choices, reduce congestion, improve travel reliability, improve safety, and provide consistency with local and regional plans," according to VDOT.
VDOT
VDOT is hosting public meeting to discuss the options. VDOT has also posted an online survey that residents can take to weigh in on the decision. (Residents can also watch the recording of a virtual meeting from earlier this week for more information.) Many of the comments on the online survey thus far from local residents cite concerns about how often Eisenhower Avenue is used as a "bail out" when traffic congestion gets bad on the Beltway; others referenced noise from both normal Beltway traffic and from speeding by overly loud vehicles racing late at night.
"While these potential express lanes may not help our community directly, if funds from the project can be used to address local feeder intersections and neighborhood gridlock, then I support consideration of extending the express lanes," wrote Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck in his most recent newsletter. "For this reason, your attendance is important at these meetings, and I strongly encourage you to advocate for these needs."
The next meetings are from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 23 at John R. Lewis High School (6540 Franconia Rd.) and 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 25 at the Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center (1108 Jefferson St.).
