The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a public meeting Sept. 26 on the preliminary design of spot improvements on I-66 westbound inside the Capital Beltway. The meeting will be at Washington-Lee High School, 1300 N. Quincy Street in Arlington, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. A formal presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m.

After the presentation there will be an opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues such as air quality, noise, sound walls, trail issues, roadway design, landscaping, and aesthetics with the project team. The public is encouraged to attend and participate.

The three spot improvements will extend and connect acceleration and deceleration lanes on I-66 westbound from Spout Run to Glebe Road, from Fairfax Drive to Sycamore Street, and from Washington Boulevard to the Dulles Connector. These spots were identified as the most congested locations from earlier studies.

Construction can be completed within existing right-of-way, including any required retaining and sound wall relocations or additions. Design of the spot improvements encompasses enforcement areas and safety pull-offs, sight distance improvements, ramp metering, signing, traffic management systems, and reconstruction of the shoulder to provide for emergency evacuation. The design of the spot improvements will preserve the Custis Trail and will not preclude future Metrorail or transit options.

Further information is available at http://www.i-66spotimprovements.com.

Page last modified: Sept. 20, 2007