Transportation bill could ease travel for I-66 drivers

The annual transportation spending bill passed by the House last week not only included $85 million for Dulles rail funding, but may also provide relief for Interstate 66 commuters outside the Beltway.

The fiscal 2010 House Transportation Appropriations Bill overwhelmingly passed the House on Thursday night, and in it included "language" meant to encourage the Federal Highway Administration to work closely with the Virginia Department of Transportation to find solutions to traffic congestion on I-66.

A spokesman for Rep. Frank R. Wolf, R-Va. 10th, said the measure recommends that the FHWA and VDOT consider extending the time that drivers can use the highway's shoulder by one hour in each direction -- between U.S. 50 and the Beltway.

In addition to the shoulders, the bill also addresses possibly opening two high occupancy toll lane exit ramps, one at Stringfellow Road and another at Monument Drive in Fairfax County, during non-HOV hours, said Wolf's spokesman.

"I remain committed to improving traffic flow on I-66…The money is there to begin making the spot improvements westbound inside the Beltway and I continue to push for bus rapid transit in the corridor outside the Beltway. The language in this bill is part of an effort to bring some relief now," stated Wolf in a press release.

On the issue of Dulles rail, the federal government agreed to pick up the full cost of the project in March. With the additional $85 million that was approved by the House, the government's total financial commitment to the project is $440 million, stated Wolf.

On his Web site, Wolf states he has worked to get $30 million to widen I-66 west inside the Beltway. He notes that widening the highway is not only a mobility, environmental and quality of life issue, but also one of security.

Wolf states that a wider road would provide a better evacuation route for those leaving the nation's capital, and states the improvements can be done within the existing footprint of the highway.

When the highway was originally approved for construction, an agreement was struck between the gov-ernment and the residents of Arlington County, stating that I-66 would not be widened beyond its existing four-lane layout.

Since that time, in 1964, traffic has increased and a debate has been ongoing about whether or not the lanes should be widened between Washington and the Beltway.

Wolf also states on his Web site that he believes that bus rapid transit, with its dedicated lanes, individual boarding platforms and enhanced fare collection, would also better serve the corridor and commuters, working similarly to the way a train does.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.