RELEASE:

CONTACT:
IMMEDIATE

Jeff Caldwell (804) 786-2715
Jeffrey.Caldwell@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Jennifer Pickett (804) 786-7432
CO-0727

July 17, 2007



COMMONWEALTH TO HOLD I-95/395 HOV/BUS/HOT LANES CITIZEN INFORMATION MEETINGS Five Meetings To Provide Overview of Project and Collect Public Input
COMMONWEALTH TO HOLD I-95/395 HOV/BUS/HOT LANES CITIZEN INFORMATION MEETINGS
Five Meetings To Provide Overview of Project and Collect Public Input


RICHMOND – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) are hosting a series of five public information meetings to collect feedback about public transportation, carpooling, vanpooling, High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) and highway portions of the proposed 56-mile Interstate 95/395 HOV/Bus/High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes project between the Pentagon and Massaponax.

Meeting participants will find out more information about HOV/Bus/HOT lanes and hear updates on:
  • The northern portion of the project currently under environmental review between Eads Street (near the Pentagon) and Garrisonville Road (Route 610) in Stafford County and the proposed southern portion of the project from Dumfries to Massaponax

  • Ongoing activities to review proposed transit improvements in the corridor

  • The I-95/395 Transit/Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Study
“It is important for us to gather public input on these plans early on to help the commonwealth shape this project,” said VDOT Commissioner David S. Ekern. “We want to be sure the public has an opportunity to comment throughout the planning, design and environmental review stages of this proposed HOT lanes project.”

Public input is needed as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review for the northern portion of this proposed project. Comments are also welcome to help shape the developing southern segment and the I-95/395Transit/TDM Study in this corridor.

Additional public input opportunities will be made available throughout the development of this project.

“The viability of transit, vanpooling and carpooling options in this corridor is essential to our goal of providing congestion relief,” said DRPT Director Matthew Tucker. “The Transit/TDM Study will help ensure that the HOT lanes project can be successfully integrated as a new choice within the overall transportation network of the Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg regions.”

Five meetings will be held in the project corridor. Doors open at 7 p.m. with presentations at 7:30 p.m. and again at 8:30 p.m.

Information stations will be available all evening for participants to collect information and ask questions of project staff.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Edison High School
5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria

Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Wakefield High School
4901 S. Chesterfield Road, Arlington

Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Forest Park High School
15721 Spriggs Road, Woodbridge

Thursday, July 26, 2007
Wingate Inn
Mary Washington Pavilion East
20 Sanford Drive, Fredericksburg

Monday, July 30, 2007
Spotsylvania County School Administrative Services
8020 River Stone Drive, Spotsylvania

Those who cannot attend a meeting may send comments through Aug. 10, 2007, to:

Public Affairs
Virginia Department of Transportation
1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219
Or via e-mail to hotlanes@vdot.virginia.gov.

or to

Public Information Office
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
1313 E. Main St., Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23219
Or via e-mail to drptpr@DRPT.Virginia.gov.


For more information about the I-95/395 HOV/Bus/HOT Lanes Project, visit VirginiaDOT.org/hotlanes. For more information about the I-95/395 Transit/TDM Study, visit drpt.virginia.gov.

(END)



Page last modified: July 17, 2007