The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is conducting a study to widen the Capitol Beltway (I-495) in two stages.

The first phase of the study (to be completed by 2010) proposes to add two HOV lanes to the current 8-lanes. The second stage (to be completed by 2020) proposes to add two additional lanes and modifies all interchanges in Virginia. Virginia's 2020 Transportation Plan's call for a 12-lane Beltway is totally out of synch with Maryland's plan for its portion of the Beltway. Virginia favors more vehicle lanes and treats transit as an unwanted distant cousin. Read more about the Virginia/Maryland beltway plan discrepancies.

Because of the large number of comments VDOT received regarding the physical impacts associated with the proposed improvements, the department has decided to evaluate modifications that would reduce the size of the project, particularly at interchanges. VDOT will also evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. Results of these additional studies will be presented at a series of public workshops scheduled to take place during Spring 2004.

Although the project is being promoted by VDOT as a solution to traffic, studies have shown that widening the Beltway to 12 lanes will not reduce congestion. In fact, previous widenings have done nothing to relieve traffic on the roadway and have caused induced traffic.

Furthermore, a 12-lane Beltway will disrupt existing neighborhoods, destroy homes, cause traffic delays during decades of construction, and fuel a new round of development. Any new capacity from the road will only offer temporary decreases in commute times. Several projects are connected to the beltway widening including the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, the InterCounty Connector (ICC), the Springfield Interchange or Mixing Bowl (at I-395/95 and the Beltway), I-66 widening, interchange upgrades, and the Purple Line.

More on Beltway Widening:
Solutions
History
Contacts

Related Issues:
InterCounty Connector (ICC)
Wilson Bridge
Techway

More Information:
Reasons to Oppose Beltway Expansion
"Beltway Widening Threatens Fairfax,"(Fairfax Coalition for Smarter Growth)
Delegate David Albo's Plan for Commuter Rail
VA/MD Beltway Plan Discrepancies
VDOT's Capitol Beltway Study
VDOT's Capitol Beltway Project, Official Plans, Study