Skip to main content

Work to begin on North Virginia highway improvements to ease congestion

Work will begin this summer on the first major improvements to US Interstate 66 inside the Capital Beltway, Virginia, in 15 years. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) project is part of a comprehensive initiative to transform the I-66 corridor, giving commuters and other travellers a variety of fast and reliable choices for getting to and from work. Toll revenues will fund multimodal improvements, giving commuters expanded options for travel. To jumpstart the process, the Commonwealth Transp
August 2, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
RSSWork will begin this summer on the first major improvements to US Interstate 66 inside the Capital Beltway, Virginia, in 15 years. The 1747 Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) project is part of a comprehensive initiative to transform the I-66 corridor, giving commuters and other travellers a variety of fast and reliable choices for getting to and from work.

Toll revenues will fund multimodal improvements, giving commuters expanded options for travel. To jumpstart the process, the Commonwealth Transportation Board recently approved a nearly US$10 million program to fund a series of multimodal projects identified by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission.

Contracts totalling US$60 million were awarded to Fort Myer Construction for tolling infrastructure construction and to 139 TransCore for tolling equipment installation. The project includes eight overhead electronic toll collection gantries on I-66 and approximately 125 signs along I-66 and local roads approaching the highway. The work will require periodic lane closures on local roads approaching I-66 interchanges, ramp closures and night-time lane closures along I-66 itself. Brief, occasional total closures of I-66 will occur during overnight construction to install the overhead gantries. Construction will conclude next year.

In addition to these improvements, a four-mile segment of eastbound I-66 from the Dulles Connector Road to Fairfax Drive will be widened to provide further congestion relief.

The initial project includes the installation of tolling equipment along the Capital Beltway to the Lee Highway exit and signage on local streets approaching the highway. The new I-66 inside the Beltway will be the country’s first roadway with dynamic tolling on all lanes during peak period traffic, keeping traffic moving at highway speeds by adjusting toll prices based on traffic volume.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Transurban survey shows the benefits of express lanes
    May 15, 2015
    A survey from toll operator Transurban finds that the Virginia Express Lanes have reduced travel times and increased lane speeds, including the main lanes. According to data extracted from the University of Maryland’s Regional Integrated Transportation Information System, drivers in the regular lanes on the Capital Beltway and I-95 have experienced reduced travel times and faster speeds since the Express Lanes opened. As expected, drivers who take the Express Lanes experience significant travel time sav
  • Transcore joins ITS-Arab
    October 29, 2012
    Interest in the Middle East ITS market continues to grow exponentially said Zeina Nazer, Secretary General of ITS-Arab at the recent ITS World Congress in Vienna. During the event, Transcore announced it had joined ITS Arab as a Gold level member in support of the region-wide expansion of ITS systems. As road network operators and authorities strive to reduce congestion, the solutions deployed for the Dubai Salik toll collection system that Transcore serves as the local authority’s contractor provides a ro
  • Transcore joins ITS-Arab
    October 29, 2012
    Interest in the Middle East ITS market continues to grow exponentially said Zeina Nazer, Secretary General of ITS-Arab at the recent ITS World Congress in Vienna. During the event, Transcore announced it had joined ITS Arab as a Gold level member in support of the region-wide expansion of ITS systems. As road network operators and authorities strive to reduce congestion, the solutions deployed for the Dubai Salik toll collection system that Transcore serves as the local authority’s contractor provides a ro
  • Local residents back major safety improvements at Hammersmith gyratory
    August 8, 2016
    Transport for London (TfL) has released the results of the Hammersmith gyratory improvement consultation, which received a high level of public support. Nearly 80 per cent of respondents backed TfL’s plans for improvements, which will significantly improve cyclist safety at one of London's most intimidating and busy junctions. Dedicated cycling crossings will be installed, pedestrian facilities will be improved and a new bus lane added that will boost the reliability of bus services for customers. Th