Northern Virginia commuters rarely get good news, but tonight (after rush hour, mind you) a new lane opens on I-66 between Fairfax Drive and Sycamore Street in Arlington County.
In a press release earlier today, Congressman Frank Wolf noted that he, along with then Congressman Tom Davis, provided initial funding for the project, which was completed with VDOT funds.
The project added a 2 mile auxiliary lane to I-66 westbound for acceleration and deceleration at a cost of $14 million. Construction took 18 months and represents the first of 3 area “spot improvements” which are expected to increase safety and reduce congestion.
Earlier today, Governor McDonnell announced that a new and improved Midtown Tunnel is under contract in Hampton Roads. The contract covers construction of a new Midtown Tunnel, rehabilitation of the existing Midtown Tunnel and the Downtown Tunnels, as well as extending the Martin Luther King Freeway. The total cost for this project is expected to be $2.1 billion, $362 million of which will be funded directly by VDOT. The project will also be financed through tolls, initially ranging from $1.59 to $1.84 per car for the tunnels and $.50 for the Martin Luther King Freeway extension for tunnel users and $1 for non-tunnel users.
Transportation Secretary Sean T. Connaughton commented: “The state’s use of a public-private partnership structure will enable VDOT to attract approximately $1.7 billion in private investment to a project that yields tangible long-term benefits to the region and the state.”
Once completed, the Midtown tunnel project is expected to save Hampton Roads area commuters an average of 30 minutes a day. Construction is expected to begin in 2012.
What safety and congestion problem areas do you think VDOT should prioritize? Sound off in the comments (we know your legislators are reading here)!
