VDOT I-95 HOT Lane Study Falls Short
COALITION FOR SMARTER GROWTH
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
September 21, 2011
Contact:
Stewart Schwartz, CSG, 703-599-6437
VDOT I-95 HOT Lane Study Falls Short
Slugging/Carpooling May be at Risk as State Rushes Decision Based on Inadequate Study
VDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently released its Environmental Assessment of the proposed I-95 HOT lanes project. The Coalition for Smarter Growth has reviewed the unduly short analysis by VDOT and sent a critical letter to Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton and U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood, urging the study to be redone.
"We find the VDOT/FHWA study to be completely inadequate as a basis for a billion dollar investment decision and for transferring a public highway to a private toll road company," said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. "The EA failed to consider any alternatives beyond a private HOT lane facility and 'no build' and thus failed to consider options that could move more people through the corridor per hour."
"We believe that the HOT lanes could have a negative impact on slugging and carpooling and that they may undermine goals to reduce traffic related to the BRAC moves. VDOT is ignoring this issue," said Schwartz.
The Coalition for Smarter Growth is urging study of both the DC and Edsall Road terminus for the project, as well as study of a combined HOV/bus transit/VRE investment alternative and a public tolling alternative that keeps the revenues in public hands for reinvestment in the corridor.
Public information meetings about the project will begin next week, perhaps the first opportunity for public input since VDOT began the study.
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