VDOT Recommends Improvements to I-66 Outside Beltway

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) presented its recommended design concept for its Transforming I-66 Outside the Beltway project to the Commonwealth Transportation Board Wednesday.

The project entails improvements to a 25-mile stretch of I-66 from the Capital Beltway to Route 15 in Haymarket.

The improvements include (according to VDOT):

• Express lanes in addition to preexisting lanes
• Space for a median
• Safety and operational improvements at key interchanges throughout the corridor
• New transit services such as new and expanded park and ride lots and bus service
• Corridor-wide bikeway, trail, and sidewalk improvements.

Because these improvements will be both costly and complex, VDOT recommended the proposed redesign concept be tackled in stages rather than all at once in its presentation to the CTB.

VDOT’s proposal has already been influenced through a number of communication channels, including citizen comments via the web, email and social media.

In continuing that initiative, the proposed redesign will be presented to Northern Virginians in three public information meetings, the first of which will take place at Oakton High School on Monday, Oct. 19.

Construction of the project is slated to begin in 2017, with the improvements open to traffic in 2021. For more details, visit here.