From an email alert I received recently from the Arlington Coalition for Sensible Transportation:
On Oct. 27, 2008, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) held a public hearing to receive comments on its proposed design for three "spot improvements" along westbound I-66 in Arlington. This project would add large segments of a westbound lane to I-66 for up to 4.3 miles, by extending three westbound on-ramps to the next off-ramp. VDOT's most recent project documents are posted here, and its 2004-2006 feasibility study is documented here.
Although this project would not significantly affect the adjacent Custis Trail, its construction would make further widening--which could sever or seriously degrade portions of the Custis and/or W&OD Trails--much more likely. Moreover, VDOT is not using this project to make much-needed improvements to adjacent Custis Trail segments.
Please submit written comments, opposing project construction, by VDOT's Nov. 12, 2008 comment deadline. Address your e-mail to meeting_comments@virginiadot.
org and put "I-66 Spot Improvements PH Comments" in the subject line. The Arlington Coalition for Sensible Transportation (ACST) continues to oppose these "spot improvements" as unnecessary, unwarranted, and counterproductive. Our detailed arguments are posted here, but here are some points you might make:
There are 8 listed, here's teh one related to the trail
8) Any construction should include much-needed improvements to the adjacent Custis Trail which was built with several dangerous blind curves and trail intersections and is too narrow to safely accommodate existing trail traffic. In addition, the deteriorated trail segment between McKinley Rd and Quantico St along westbound I-66 has not been repaved in 26 years.
Photo by Kevin Borland
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