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As the Springfield Interchange project ends, new road work begins Date published: 4/19/2007
By KELLY HANNON Commuters who work in Northern Virginia and Washington should brace themselves for six major road projects planned over the next decade. Officials are promising not to make congestion worse, but the roads may not improve until the projects open, one by one. "I have described it to people as Christmas-time shopping at the two malls all the time," said Commonwealth Transportation Board member Douglas Koelemay, a Springfield resident. The state's $676 million Springfield Interchange project is wrapping up this fall after eight years of labor and sporadic lane closures. It may be followed by $5 billion of additional road construction. Starting with 2008 construction of the Dulles Metrorail extension in the Tysons Corner area, the work could include construction of toll lanes on interstates 95, 395 and 495, and the widening of I-95 to four lanes between Newington and Occoquan. On top of this, road improvements will be needed to handle job shifts to Fort Belvoir and Quantico Marine Corps Base under the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. Also, work is planned on the Fairfax County Parkway. The Virginia Department of Transportation and Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation want to develop a single team to coordinate the phasing of these projects and communicate with the public. Officials briefed Commonwealth Transportation Board members yesterday during a Charlottesville meeting. About 600,000 commuters are expected to be affected, said Michael Rosenfeld, VDOT district construction engineer. VDOT has held meetings with businesses and community groups for eight months to spread the word about the Metrorail project in Tysons Corner. The agency expects a similar rollout for the remaining regional projects. Employers are urged to think about offering telecommuting and flexible schedules, Rosenfeld said. Commuters will be encouraged to consider a number of transit options, and the agencies are brainstorming ways to give people financial incentives to do so, said Corey Hill, a director with the Department of Rail and Transportation. Pierce Homer, Virginia secretary of transportation, noted that some of the projects, including the I-95/395 toll road proposal, are still in the planning and study phase, and the outcome could alter how the process unfolds. Kelly Hannon: 540/374-5436Email: khannon@freelancestar.com
Cpt Obvious, I have lived in Europe. It's very easy to get
around on public transportation there. Despite having a
much greater population density roads aren't as clogged.
I've been in or near the DC area for over 40 years and the
road building has never slowed, but travel times constantly
increase. Keeping our heads buried in denial hasn't
worked.
How many lanes on I-95 will be enough? Since I've lived
around here the road construction has rarely taken a break
and nothing's improved.
where you work (or where your family is). If you can telecommute (or love/deal with your family long-distance), move wherever, more luck to you. The rest of us still have to deal with the local problems...
When traffic in Fredericksburg made it to the ridiculous level it is at now, my solution was to simply pack my stuff and leave. I figure I have about 10 years or so before it makes it to where I am now. I'm already working on the next move. Here's why: The houses are cheaper, the roads are clear, the water tastes good, and the stress level is low, so I am healthier and happier. Most everyone that lives in the DC area does so by choice. Seems to me the bed has been made.........
Growth will happen no matter what we do. I absolutely agree with ROtheR. Light rail is the only permanent solution given our population growth, escalating traffic nightmare, and oil-dependence. The HOT lanes, in particular, are an outrageously awful idea on every level I can think of. I will not vote for any politician (local or state) who supports them.
Richontheroad must know something we don't. He must like traffic. This isn't Japan or China, and for now Americans can still have more than one or two children. These extra kids will grow up and they have to live somewhere! Obviously some ongoing new and maintenance work will be needed to our roads to keep up with population growth. If you like trains, move to France, you wimp!
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