VDOT's Spot Improvement Study

Download TPB Resolution Authorizing "Spot Improvements" Study

Download VDOT's "Revised" and "Clarified" Proposal for I-66 Study (Dated January 12, 2006)

On January 25, one week after the spot improvement study was authorized, VDOT issued a news release that clearly suggests that the primary purpose of the "spot improvement" study is to advance three segments of a third westbound travel lane. Download News Release.

As previously reported by ACST, due to the effective efforts of Chris Zimmerman, the TPB attached several important conditions (called "six points of clarification") to its authorization of VDOT's "spot improvement" study; namely:

• to not preclude a third Metrorail track and express bus operations
• to keep any proposed construction within the existing I-66 right-of-way
• to maintain adjacent parkland and the Custis Trail
• to evaluate HOV enforcement areas and a continuous 12-ft paved shoulder
• to coordinate with ongoing regional emergency and evacuation planning efforts
• to not degrade safety

WHEREAS, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) has reviewed the next phase of the Idea 66 Study to be conducted by VDOT and has identified the following six points of clarification to be incorporated into the next phase of the study as described in the attached letter of January 17, 2006:

"1. Coordination with the planned extension of Metrorail to Tysons Corner and ensure that spot improvements don't preclude a third Metrorail track and express bus operations.

2. Certification by VDOT that all aspects of the project are in full compliance with all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA);

3. Clarification of the I-66 right-of-way boundaries to assure that any proposed construction can occur within the existing right-of-way and maintain any adjacent parkland or the Custis Trail;

4. Evaluation of HOV enforcement areas, a continuous 12-foot shoulder, signing, Traffic Management Systems (TMS) and ramp metering.

5. The planning and design studies for the I-66 spot improvements should also include coordination with the ongoing efforts to develop a regional emergency evacuation plan. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Transportation Planning Board, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Arlington County's Fire, Police, and Emergency Rescue Departments are some of the participants in this regional effort.

6. Safety will not be degraded by the project."

WHEREAS, at the January 18, 2006 meeting, the TPB directed that the following comments in the NVTA letter of January 17, 2006 be included in this resolution:

"Separate from the action on this TIP amendment, at its January 12, 2006, meeting, NVTA asked that funding be sought for a long-range multimodal environmental document that will address the public transportation needs for the I-66 Multimodal Corridor. This document will include a comprehensive and objective evaluation of long-term public transportation needs in the I-66 multimodal corridor. Most importantly, analysis must address any potential conflicts between the proposed improvements and the planned extension of Metrorail to Tysons Corner. This evaluation should also address the ability to accommodate third and fourth Metrorail tracks in the median of I-66 inside the Beltway, should they be required for express service for the planned 23-mile Dulles Rail Extension into Loudoun County, or for the planned Orange Line extension to Centreville or Gainesville, or to maintain adequate Metrorail capacity within Arlington County.

As part of the multimodal environmental document, VDOT should study value pricing and relatively low-cost traffic-operation, solutions such as provision of express bus service and HOV-3."