Despite the strong objections of Arlington County officials and citizens, a number of regional officials are pushing for the widening of I-66 inside the Beltway. While now facing congestion in both directions, most people agree that any relief from widening would be temporary at best.

For now, thoughts of widening in the eastbound direction have been dropped, in large part because more cars would have no where to go once they hit the crowded streets of the District of Columbia. Westbound congestion has increased as workers have flocked to walkable, urban communities, but must reverse commute to jobs in the suburbs.

But what is the real problem here? It is the failure of corporate CEO's and elected officials in the suburbs to link jobs, especially office jobs, to transit service. Continuing to scatter office buildings also undermines carpooling and will make the problem worse, no matter how much you widen I-66. Unfortunately, VDOT is focused only on one alternative - widening.

We believe that the following mix of solutions should be considered first for I-66 inside the Beltway:

• High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) for both east and westbound traffic during peak hours
• High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, which control demand by charging variable rates for driving during peak hours
• More frequent and express bus service to suburban job centers
• Building the proposed Metrorail extension to Tysons Corner
• Focusing new office development and jobs in walkable centers with rail, bus rapid transit and bus service.
  

Solutions (ACST)
Contacts

Related Issues:
Induced Traffic
Rail to Tyson's Corner

More Information:
I-66 Study Website
ACST's Alternatives To Widening I-66 (PDF)