| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Joan Morris 703-383-2465 joan.morris@virginiadot.org Steve Titunik 703 383-2530 |
NOVA-03-30 April 29, 2003 |
Springfield Interchange Project Reaches Halfway Mark
Thousands of Motorists Try New Commutes to Avoid Congestion
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The Springfield Interchange Improvement Project, designed to improve safety and ease congestion at one of the busiest interchanges on the East Coast, is now halfway complete and remains on schedule for completion in 2007. Virginia transportation officials also announced today that congestion management efforts have helped more than 6,000 commuters try new commuting modes such as ridesharing, transit and teleworking.
“The effort to help commuters avoid congestion related to construction has made this project a model for other states,” said VDOT Commissioner Philip Shucet. “With this program, VDOT has raised the bar and set a new standard for helping commuters. The project demonstrates our commitment to commuters and the business community.”
In a briefing to local elected officials, business leaders, public safety officials and civic groups, transportation officials described the impact of construction in the near future. Construction crews are currently working on phases four and five of the project, which involve more than three miles of the Capital Beltway, improving access to and from I-95. Crews are adding more ramps and bridges to relieve the bottlenecks currently common in the area. Work on phases six and seven is expected to begin later this year, keeping the project on schedule for completion in 2007. All of the improvements are designed to make the interchange safer and easier to use.
VDOT also released the results of its survey conducted last fall with 1,900 commuters to learn how the project is impacting motorists. More than 6,000 daily interchange users have switched from driving alone to HOV, using transit or teleworking since construction began. More than half of the people who switched commuting modes said the new ridesharing and transit services created by VDOT affected their decision.
“For the first time ever, HOV lanes outside the Beltway are carrying more people than the four regular lanes,” said Gus Robey, program manager at the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). “During the peak rush hour, 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., more than 10,000 people in 3,100 vehicles use the HOV lanes. That’s nearly twice the vehicles using the HOV lanes since before construction began.”
In order to control congestion in the interchange, transportation officials created a four-part congestion management plan:
· Local Road Improvements – Crews added additional turn lanes and improved busy local intersections in the greater Springfield area to keep traffic moving safely and with minimal delays during construction.
· Commuter Services – Working with ridesharing agencies and transit providers, VDOT and DRPT have added nearly 5,000 park-and-ride spaces on I-95, enhanced bus and train services and created a new vanpool program.
· Incident Response – Public safety officials have increased the number of safety service and police patrols in the interchange area. A mobile command center for state police coordinates responses to large incidents and a mobile foam truck for fire officials helps clear potentially dangerous accidents more quickly and safely.
· Communications – Using tactics ranging from an Information Center that is attracting more than 5,000 visitors a month to construction e-mail alerts, VDOT has expanded its communications efforts to make sure commuters are aware of construction impacts and new services so they can take control of their commutes.
Transportation officials say of the commuters who have switched commuting modes, most have tried teleworking. They hope that trend will continue as more commuters and their employers participate in Telework!Va, a program created by the Commonwealth of Virginia specifically to help Northern Virginia businesses start or expand telework programs. Companies can receive up to $35,000 to help employees set up home offices or work from a telework center. For more information on the program, call 1-800-745-RIDE or visit www.teleworkva.org.
The Springfield Interchange Improvement Project, designed to improve safety and ease congestion at one of the busiest interchanges on the East Coast, is now halfway complete and remains on schedule for completion in 2007. Virginia transportation officials also announced today that congestion management efforts have helped more than 6,000 commuters try new commuting modes such as ridesharing, transit and teleworking.
“The effort to help commuters avoid congestion related to construction has made this project a model for other states,” said VDOT Commissioner Philip Shucet. “With this program, VDOT has raised the bar and set a new standard for helping commuters. The project demonstrates our commitment to commuters and the business community.”
In a briefing to local elected officials, business leaders, public safety officials and civic groups, transportation officials described the impact of construction in the near future. Construction crews are currently working on phases four and five of the project, which involve more than three miles of the Capital Beltway, improving access to and from I-95. Crews are adding more ramps and bridges to relieve the bottlenecks currently common in the area. Work on phases six and seven is expected to begin later this year, keeping the project on schedule for completion in 2007. All of the improvements are designed to make the interchange safer and easier to use.
VDOT also released the results of its survey conducted last fall with 1,900 commuters to learn how the project is impacting motorists. More than 6,000 daily interchange users have switched from driving alone to HOV, using transit or teleworking since construction began. More than half of the people who switched commuting modes said the new ridesharing and transit services created by VDOT affected their decision.
“For the first time ever, HOV lanes outside the Beltway are carrying more people than the four regular lanes,” said Gus Robey, program manager at the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). “During the peak rush hour, 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., more than 10,000 people in 3,100 vehicles use the HOV lanes. That’s nearly twice the vehicles using the HOV lanes since before construction began.”
In order to control congestion in the interchange, transportation officials created a four-part congestion management plan:
· Local Road Improvements – Crews added additional turn lanes and improved busy local intersections in the greater Springfield area to keep traffic moving safely and with minimal delays during construction.
· Commuter Services – Working with ridesharing agencies and transit providers, VDOT and DRPT have added nearly 5,000 park-and-ride spaces on I-95, enhanced bus and train services and created a new vanpool program.
· Incident Response – Public safety officials have increased the number of safety service and police patrols in the interchange area. A mobile command center for state police coordinates responses to large incidents and a mobile foam truck for fire officials helps clear potentially dangerous accidents more quickly and safely.
· Communications – Using tactics ranging from an Information Center that is attracting more than 5,000 visitors a month to construction e-mail alerts, VDOT has expanded its communications efforts to make sure commuters are aware of construction impacts and new services so they can take control of their commutes.
Transportation officials say of the commuters who have switched commuting modes, most have tried teleworking. They hope that trend will continue as more commuters and their employers participate in Telework!Va, a program created by the Commonwealth of Virginia specifically to help Northern Virginia businesses start or expand telework programs. Companies can receive up to $35,000 to help employees set up home offices or work from a telework center. For more information on the program, call 1-800-745-RIDE or visit www.teleworkva.org.
Page last modified: May 6, 2003
