Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board I-95 Corridor study report, released earlier this month, revealed what many travelers of the I-95 corridor already know: The “Northern District” of I-95, north of Quantico, has the highest rate of overall and recurring traffic delays.
In the northern region, which goes from Quantico through Alexandria, 80 percent of delays are recurring — primarily caused by traffic volume — and just 20 percent are non-recurring, according to the report.
The greatest pain points in terms of person-hours of delay are I-95 South from exits 167 to 163 (southeastern Fairfax County to Lorton) and exits 148 to 133 (near Quantico into Fredericksburg). Northbound, delays are frequently found between exit 156 (near Potomac Town Center and Woodbridge) into the District.
This table is from the CTB report showing where delays are most common along I-95:
Commonwealth Transportation Board
Adding Lanes May Not Help
Adding lanes in this area may not be the solution, however, according to the CTB. The study results showed that due to projected population growth and increased usage of roadways, there would be no sustained, long-term overall improvement in travel time by simply adding more lanes for cars.
According to the report: “The results are also consistent with recent roadway widening experience on I-95, using the I-95 fourth lane project between Exit 166 (Route 286/Fairfax County Parkway) and Exit 160 (Route 123/Gordon Boulevard) as an example. In 2011, an additional general-purpose lane was added in both directions for these 6 miles. Despite the additional capacity provided by the project, average speeds in 2019 were 7.5 percent lower (22.3 mph versus 20.6 mph) than those in 2009.”
There are already lane projects in the works, including the I-95 Express Lanes extension into Fredericksburg, which is expected to significantly help improve commute times during peak rush hours both southbound and northbound. That should be completed by 2025.
Aside from that Express Lanes extension, the Commonwealth plans to focus less on “more lanes” and more on “multimodal transportation” and on encouraging carpooling through lane management.
“Based on the hypothetical widening analysis, the study team anticipates that multimodal recommendations and managed lane facilities that incentivize non-single occupant travel will be key components of any solution development along the I-95 corridor in Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg,” according to the report.
High Demand for VRE, Information Systems
Feedback from Virginia residents to a survey in 2019 showed a high demand for improved Metrorail and VRE service, which would help take cars off the road. Other desires by respondents were for more real-time information on commuting options (beyond just driving), financial incentives for new modes of transportation and improved commuter bus service.
In the coming years, Virginia officials are working on implementing other systems that may help, such as more cameras, more changeable message signs and increased safety service patrols to improve incident response and awareness.
The report also recommends some expansion of the Towing and Recovery Incentive Program, which provides financial incentives to wreck recovery companies that can clear a roadway in less than 90 minutes after a major accident.
In the coming years, commuters may also see more ramp metering, variable speed limit zones and more information on parking availability at commuter parking lots.
According to the Commonwealth Transportation Board, here are the next steps:
“Prior to full finalization of the Interstate 95 Corridor Improvement Plan, the study team will also conduct a study of Interstate 64 in the summer of 2020. Once complete, the study team will present a listing of prioritized capital projects for both interstate corridors to the CTB for its consideration in determining potential allocations from available funding sources. Following the prioritization, the Interim I-95 Corridor Improvement Plan will be finalized and presented to the CTB for action.”
More information on these projects is available at www.ctb.virginia.gov/projects/major_projects/i-95_study.asp.