VDOT is hosting 3 meetings on the Outside the Beltway project this month. Information will be provided on the current project status and schedule, concept plans, and upcoming activities in the I-66 corridor. Technical staff will be on hand to answer one-on-one questions before and after the presentation. The project includes a parallel shared-use path and new bike/ped crossings of I-66. The trail was a win for advocates, as it was not included in the Draft EA, but lobbying by cyclists and local officials got it added to the Final EA. Still it's late addition means that it is only being added where the ROW is already wide enough - elsewhere it will be added to nearby roads. The highway is fine.
The alignment proposed as part of the Preferred Alternative is a combination of a parallel facility and improvements to other roads adjacent to the project (see Preferred Alternative concept plans for locations of proposed shared-use paths and sidewalks in the project area). Incorporating a regional shared-use path that ran parallel to the entire corridor would have required additional right of way impacts to adjacent property owners; therefore, elements of the design that can be constructed within the proposed or existing right of way of the project will be constructed as part of the Preferred Alternative. Improvements to adjacent roads will be built by others based on coordination with the local governments.
Some notes from the EA
Currently, I-66 is a barrier to bicycle network connectivity in many locations outside the Beltway (I-495). The modification of bridges, ramp termini, the freeway mainline, and some local roadways offers the opportunity for bicycling networks along the corridor (existing and planned) to become better connected.
The design of the multi-use path had two goals: to avoid additional right of way impacts due to the path and to provide a convenient and accessible path for bicycles and pedestrians.
Bike and pedestrian improvements are also included at cross streets along the corridor where the existing bridges are being reconstructed. These bike and pedestrian improvements at interchanges and overpasses along the corridor were coordinated with the local governments to meet current and future demands. Finally, the park-and-ride lots being constructed as part of the Preferred Alternative will also include bike and pedestrian connections to existing facilities to provide convenient access to transit options along the corridor.
Furthermore the existing trails in the ROW will be maintained and a new trail will be built on the western side of Route 15. Still, where the trail is built it's going to include some at-grade crossings of busy roads, as can be seen below at i-66/Chain Bridge Road. The trail is the solid lime green line. You can see all the pieces of the trail at the Concept Plan.
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