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I-66 History: |
| 1959 |
I-66, from I-81 to DC, included on National Interstate Map. |
| 1967 |
State agrees to delay construction while Metro line in the median is planned. |
| 1970 |
Arlington citizens file lawsuit to block construction, district court dismisses. |
| 1972 |
US Circuit Court in Richmond bars construction until EIS prepared and hearings held. |
| 1974 |
In July, a final EIS submitted, proposes an eight lane limited access expressway from the Capital
Beltway to the area near Spout Run Parkway. Six lanes would branch off at the Parkway and cross the
Potomac via a proposed Three Sisters Bridge. Another six lanes would branch off to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge.
In November modified design submitted, eight lanes reduced to six lanes. |
| 1975 |
Six lane design disapproved. |
| 1977 |
Coleman Decision: On January 4, 1977,
Secretary of Transportation William T. Coleman, Jr., approved Federal-aid for construction of the controversial I-66
from the Capital Beltway to the District of Columbia. I-66 was approved as a four lane, limited access highway with
Metrorail from Vienna in the median. Heavy-duty trucks were excluded, and during peak hours, traffic in the peak direction
was limited to buses, automobiles with four occupants, emergency vehicles, and traffic to and from Dulles Airport. |
| 1982 |
Roadway completed between Capital Beltway and the Roosevelt Bridge. |
| 1983 |
PL 98-205 lowers HOV requirement to 3 for one-year trial period. |
| 1984 |
Dulles Connector opens linking I-66 with Dulles Airport Access Road. |
| 1986 |
Metro’s Orange Line opens to Vienna. |
| 1992 |
In September, Commonwealth Transportation Board approves resolution permitting motorcycles to use I-66. |
| 1994 |
Section 346 of FY 1995 DOT Appropriations Act permits HOV 2 for one-year trial period. |
| 1999 |
Section 361 of the FY 1999 US DOT Appropriations Act (PL 105-277)
- Provided Virginia with the authority to determine the HOV restrictions applicable to I-66. Use of the Dulles Connector by vehicles going to/form Airport not affected.
- Arlington Mr. Ferguson asks VDOT to study additional westbound access points
- Congressman Wolf recommends westbound widening (3 lanes) from Spout Run Parkway
- Governor Gilmore announces plan to widen in both directions
Section 357 of the FHWA FY 2000 Appropriations Act (House Bill 2084) eliminates the overall Coleman Decision as follows:
(a) Notwithstanding the January 4, 1977, decision of the Secretary of Transportation that approved
construction of Interstate Highway 66 between the Capital Beltway and Rosslyn, Virginia, the Commonwealth
of Virginia, in accordance with existing Federal and State law, shall hereafter have authority for operation,
maintenance, and construction of Interstate Route 66 between Rosslyn and the Capital Beltway, except as noted in paragraph (b)
(b) The conditions in the Secretary’s January 4, 1977 decision, that exclude heavy duty trucks
and permit use by vehicles bound to or from Washington Dulles International Airport in the peak direction
during peak hours, shall remain in effect.
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| 2001 |
SJR 411, calling for study of widening I-66, passed by 2001 General Assembly.
In March, TCC adopts resolution identifying specific elements for study scope
In April, Transportation Planning Board (TPB) adds study to be a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) to FY 2002 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) conformity input
In October, TPB amends the DEIS into the FY01 TIP to expedite study initiation |
| 2003 |
Study deleted from VDOT Six Year Plan and from TPB TIP.
June 18, 2003, Congressmen
Wolf and Davis request that westbound I-66 inside the beltway be widened from Rosslyn Tunnel to Dulles Connector. |
| 2004 |
September 4, 2003,
Governor Warner directed VDOT to work with FHWA to conduct a study looking at four initial concepts for westbound I-66.
In April, Federal earmark for I-66 study allocated by FHWA.
On May 10, 2004, Commissioner
Shucet commits VDOT to work with FHWA to study concepts on westbound I-66 utilizing Context Sensitive Solutions.
On July 1, 2004 I-66 Inside the Beltway Study began. |
| 2005 |
Study Completed June 2005. |
