TPB Votes Unanimously
To Support I-66 Westbound Lane Inside Beltway
Feasibility Study
(May 20, 2004)

The National Capital Region Transportation Board (TPB) has voted unanimously to support adding a Feasibility Study for Improving Westbound Mobility in the I-66 Corridor inside the Capital Beltway to the region’s FY2004 –FY 2009 Transportation Improvement Program.

The $994,000 study ($724,000 is being initially allocated) will consider every conceivable alternative – including “no build” and an actual additional lane—to improve capacity and mobility from just west of the Rosslyn Tunnel to the Dulles Airport Access Highway.  The scope is considerably less than that of the full Environmental Impact Statement evaluation approved by the TPB several years ago and will take a “context sensitive” approach. At Governor Mark Warner’s request any proposed improvements must be capable of being located within existing rights of way.

The study is expected to take about 8-months, feature extensive community involvement and be completed sometime in 2005.

Documents distributed to TPB members included 32 letters, emails and faxes – all in support of the study.  No correspondence or speaker at the TPB meeting opposed the study.

Organizations registering support for the study included the Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Montgomery County Chambers of Commerce, the Dulles Area Transportation Association (DATA), the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Washington Airports Task Force and the Alliance.

Thanks to all who took the time to write and testify!