Del. Keam Raises Concerns with VDOT Over I-66 Proposals

Del. Mark Keam is sounding the alarm about the proposed expansion of I-66 that could impact some of his constituents in the Vienna area.

Keam plans to attend a meeting this Saturday, March 21, from 10 am to 12 noon, at Kilmer Middle School Cafeteria, 8100 Wolftrap Road, Vienna. The briefing by VDOT is sponsored by the Dunn Loring Village Homeowners Association.

Here’s what Keam has to say about the issue, in an excerpt from his latest newsletter to constituents:

“You may have heard that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) are evaluating plans to improve the heavily-traveled route along the 25-mile stretch from U.S. Route 15 in Haymarket to I-495/Capital Beltway.

The draft proposal has several aspects, including adding new “managed” traffic lanes and allowing for multi-modal transit options such as high-frequency bus services and eventual extension of the Metro’s Orange line.

While I agree that I-66 needs improvements – both inside the beltway and outside – to make it more efficient in the long term, I was surprised and disappointed to learn about their latest proposal and its impact on my district.

The so-called “Tier 2” proposal includes widening the lanes so much that the construction could impact some portions of about 132 residential parcels, and possibly take up through eminent domain as many as 29 homes entirely.

Based on briefings I received from VDOT, the completed project may help those residents who live further outside the beltway who drive eastbound on I-66 for work.

But for our neighbors in Dunn Loring and Vienna, we would suffer the most impact of several years of construction and harmful property takings, while receiving little of the benefits.

Over the past two weeks, I’ve met with dozens of residents living in these affected neighborhoods, and I’m convinced that the current proposal will result in far more harm than good for our community.

That is why I have raised my serious concerns with VDOT officials, and I’m continuing to meet with other state and local elected officials in our area to determine all possible options we may have to eliminate or mitigate the damage to the Dunn Loring and Vienna neighborhoods.

This week and next, there are two more public forums scheduled where VDOT will make their presentations. I urge everyone interested in learning more to join me at these meetings to express your concerns to the VDOT officials:

PUBLIC FORUM #1 ON I-66 PROPOSAL

· Saturday, March 21, 10:00 am to 12 noon
· Kilmer Middle School Cafeteria, 8100 Wolftrap Road, Vienna, VA
· Sponsored by: Dunn Loring Village Homeowners Association (http://www.dlvhoa.org/index.shtml)

PUBLIC FORUM #2 ON I-66 PROPOSAL

· Wednesday, March 25, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (registration begins 6:30)
· Oakton High School Cafeteria, 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna, VA
· Sponsored by: Providence District Council, Coalition for Smarter Growth, Virginia Sierra Club, Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling, and Friends of Accotink Creek (http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/…/p/sal…/event/common/public/…)

I am also working with VDOT to schedule additional public meetings for other affected neighborhoods, so please contact me if you would like to schedule something for your community.

I look forward to listening to your concerns at these meetings and looking for ways to work together to find the best outcome for our neighborhoods.

If you can’t make these meetings, feel free to contact me by phone at (703) 350-3911 or email DelMKeam@house.virginia.gov.

Thank you for your interest in my work. I’m honored to represent you!

Sincerely, Mark”