I-66 Multimodal Study Inside the Beltway update

The I-66 Multimodal Study team has released new information gathered at earlier public meetings (see FABB summary of the Fairfax meeting held in Dec. 2011). Fact Sheet 3 is new and there's a list of public involvement comments from the December meetings.

Two open house meetings to review progress to date are planned in April:


Tuesday, April 24, 2012
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Navy League Building
2300 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201
Public transportation directions to open house

Wednesday, April 25, 2012
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
7130 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22043
Public transportation directions to open house

From the public comments regarding bicycle facilities:

• Improvements in bicycle travel and key connections are needed throughout the study area. This includes new and wider pavement on existing paths such as W&OD and Custis as well as new connections to transit. (6)
• Provide a bike/pedestrian crossing near West Falls Church Metro to link Haycock Rd./W&OD with Pimmitt Hills neighborhood. (2) More bicycle parking is needed at Metro stations. (2)
• Provide bicycle access along U.S. 50 across the Beltway to connect Merrifield and Graham Rd. areas. (2)
• Try to create a safe bike trail into the heart of Tysons Corner from the W&OD trail.
• Extend the Custis Trail beyond East Falls Church.
• The Custis Trail needs to be completely redesigned and rebuilt. The steep slopes discourage commuter cycling. The trail should have the same gradual changes in elevation as do the highway travel lanes.
• A viable two-way solution to reducing traffic is to further promote the use of what is already there along I-66 - a bike path.
• Need an improved bike/pedestrian connection from Rosslyn/Iwo Jima Memorial to Theodore Roosevelt Bridge.

I-66 public meeting tonight

A public meeting on "multimodal improvements that will address existing and future transportation needs in the Interstate 66 corridor from U.S. Route 15 in Prince William County to Interstate 495 in Fairfax County" is scheduled for tonight, Feb. 2 from 5-8 p.m. at VDOT NoVa Headquarters, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030. This is just south of I-66 off West Ox Road.

Cyclists are encouraged to attend the meeting and speak out for bike access along the I-66 corridor. We need a major trail along I-66 similar to the Custis Trail. Bicyclists also need to be able to safely cross I-66, which forms a major east-west barrier in many areas of western Fairfax Co.

Please either attend the I-66 meeting or email comments to the study team's leadership (reference "I-66 Tier 1 EIS: Public Comments" in your subject line) at CG.Collins@VDOT.Virginia.gov or Stephen.C.Walter@Parsons.com.

Multimodal options for I-66 inside the Beltway

Tonight VDOT wants to hear about your ideas for multimodal access along I-66 inside the Beltway. There is a public hearing tonight, part of the I-66 Multimodal Study Inside the Beltway. The hearing begins at 6 p.m. with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, 7130 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043.

Wouldn't it be great if the Custis Trail, which runs parallel to I-66 from Rosslyn to the East Falls Church Metro station, extended into Fairfax. It would provide better bike access to the West Falls Church, Dunn Loring, and Vienna Metro stations. Extending it inside the Beltway would be a start. The County Trails Plan indicates a planned trail along I-66 outside the Beltway so it makes sense to extend it inside the Beltway.

Bike access across I-66 needs to be improved, especially along Route 7 near the West Falls Church Metro station. Many more people would travel by bike in this area if there were safer bike conditions. There also needs to be bike access to the WFC station from the Pimmit Hills area across I-66.

Cyclists are encouraged to attend to show support for better bicycling in the I-66 corridor.

A second meeting is scheduled for Dec. 14 in Arlington. See the VDOT I-66 study page for more info.