| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Joan Morris 703-383-2465 joan.morris@VDOT.Virginia.gov |
NOVA-NR05-5 Jan. 20, 2005 |
CTB Approves 12-Lane Alternative for Capital Beltway
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) today approved a 12-lane lane location alternative for improving 14 miles of Virginias heavily congested Capital Beltway between Springfield and the Dulles Toll Road.
The Virginia Department of Transportation began an environmental impact study (EIS) on the Capital Beltway in 2000. No improvements can be made to the Beltway unless they are part of a federally approved environmental impact study. The Boards action clears the way for seeking federal approval of the EIS.
The 12-lane alternative will improve safety and traffic flow, connect the regions HOV (high occupancy vehicle) system and provide sufficient capacity for HOT (high occupancy toll) lanes, said Jeff Southard, VDOT Chief of Planning and the Environment. Managed lanes can accommodate express bus operations and provide for improved emergency response. This alternative addresses local government comments as well as those from public meetings last June. There will be a significant reduction in right of way requirements, residential and commercial displacements and impacts to the environmental and costs.
Last August Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner Philip Shucet directed VDOT to enter into negotiations with Fluor Daniel for a comprehensive agreement to improve the beltway. VDOT is working with Fluor Daniel under the Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA) which allows Virginia to partner with the private sector to build projects more efficiently and with less state money.
Fluor Daniel proposes to build two HOT lanes in each direction on the Capital Beltway from north of the Springfield Interchange to north of the Dulles Toll Road. According to the proposal, HOT lanes would be free to carpoolers, buses and emergency vehicles; cars carrying only one or two people would pay a variable toll to use the lanes. Large trucks would not be allowed to use HOT lanes. Negotiations are underway and should they be successful, a comprehensive agreement would follow. The agreement would set the framework for future decisions on the project, such as design and construction.
Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.
The Virginia Department of Transportation began an environmental impact study (EIS) on the Capital Beltway in 2000. No improvements can be made to the Beltway unless they are part of a federally approved environmental impact study. The Boards action clears the way for seeking federal approval of the EIS.
The 12-lane alternative will improve safety and traffic flow, connect the regions HOV (high occupancy vehicle) system and provide sufficient capacity for HOT (high occupancy toll) lanes, said Jeff Southard, VDOT Chief of Planning and the Environment. Managed lanes can accommodate express bus operations and provide for improved emergency response. This alternative addresses local government comments as well as those from public meetings last June. There will be a significant reduction in right of way requirements, residential and commercial displacements and impacts to the environmental and costs.
Last August Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner Philip Shucet directed VDOT to enter into negotiations with Fluor Daniel for a comprehensive agreement to improve the beltway. VDOT is working with Fluor Daniel under the Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA) which allows Virginia to partner with the private sector to build projects more efficiently and with less state money.
Fluor Daniel proposes to build two HOT lanes in each direction on the Capital Beltway from north of the Springfield Interchange to north of the Dulles Toll Road. According to the proposal, HOT lanes would be free to carpoolers, buses and emergency vehicles; cars carrying only one or two people would pay a variable toll to use the lanes. Large trucks would not be allowed to use HOT lanes. Negotiations are underway and should they be successful, a comprehensive agreement would follow. The agreement would set the framework for future decisions on the project, such as design and construction.
Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.
Page last modified: Jan. 20, 2005
