Huge Turnout at VDOT Meeting Over I-66 Widening Concerns

Sign up for the Vienna Patch newsletter!

Residents of Vienna’s Dunn Loring neighborhood — threatened by proposals to widen I-66 that could see homes taken by eminent domain — came out in force Saturday to let state officials know what they think of the plan.

VDOT has several plans in the works to widen and expand I-66; one of the plans would reportedly mean the destruction of 35 homes in the Dunn Loring neighborhood.

“We are more than a line on a map... We are a community .... This could destroy our community,” the Dunn Loring Woods Civic Association said on Twitter.

The public forum held Saturday morning, which had a huge turnout at Kilmer Middle School, was a chance for residents to air their concerns and ask questions of VDOT officials.

“I told hundreds of constituents that I have serious concerns about negative impacts on their homes from I-66 project,” Del. Mark Keam (D-35th) said on social media. The project is located in his district.

“Worst part of I-66 project is potential government taking of 35 houses and easements on another 132 homes in our neighborhoods; at what cost?” he noted. “My biggest concerns w/ I-66 are taking houses to build new storm water ponds and widening without efficiently using existing rights of way.”

Keam also pointed out one of the questions asked by a resident at the forum: “Dunn Loring residents ask a great question: Why should they be punished for living closer or using transit to benefit long distance drivers?”

Another concern Keam pointed out Saturday: “Expanding I-66 outside the Beltway without expanding inside will continue the bottleneck and gridlock in Dunn Loring and Vienna.”

Keam says he’ll fight for his constituents: “The more I listen to constituents, the more I’m convinced I-66 project is wrong for us. Zero benefits for Dunn Loring-Vienna; all benefits to others,” he tweeted.

“But beyond formalities, I -- as your state representative -- will be weighing in strongly on your behalf with CTB, VDOT, Governor, federal government,” he said.

Keam noted that the CommonwealthTransportation Board is the entity that will make any decisions about the plans.

VDOT officials are expected to answer residents’ concerns in writing.

Here’s more information about the Commonwealth Transportation Board:

• Appointed by the governor, the 18-member Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) establishes the administrative policies for Virginia’s transportation system.
• The CTB allocates highway funding to specific projects, locates routes and provides funding for airports, seaports and public transportation.
• The Board meets on the third Wednesday of the month in months where meetings are scheduled.
• For specific meeting, times and locations, consult the meeting schedule.
• Ad hoc meetings may also be called at the discretion of the Secretary of Transportation.
• Two members are from Northern Virginia: James W. Dyke, Jr., an at-large member from Tysons, and Gary Garczynski, who is from Woodbridge and represents the Northern Virginia District.

Gary Garczynski’s contact information, from the CTB is: 13662 Office Place, Suite 201 B, Woodbridge, VA 22192, 703-580-8419

James W. Dyke Jr.’s contact information, from the CTB is: 1750 Tysons Blvd., Ste. 1800, Tysons Corner, VA 22102-4215, 703-712-5449.

PHOTO by Mark Keam via Twitter