Written By: VDOT
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| I-495 Southside Express Lanes StudyLocation Public Hearings on June 2, 4, 9, and 11To Present Recommended Preferred Alternative |
| The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold location public hearings beginning Monday, June 2, and continuing Wednesday, June 4, Monday, June 9, and Wednesday, June 11, for the I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study (495 Southside Study). VDOT will present and seek input on its recommended preferred alternative at these public hearings to address identified transportation needs within the 495 Southside Study area. The study area spans approximately 11 miles along the southern section of I-495 from east of the Springfield Interchange (I-95/I-395/I-495) in Virginia to the MD 210 Interchange in Prince George’s County, Maryland. VDOT’s recommended preferred alternative involves building two new express lanes in each direction on the 495 Southside Study corridor, as well as new bicycle and pedestrian connections and paths linking Franconia, Alexandria, Huntington, and Oxon Hill. The recommended preferred alternative also includes new express bus service from West Prince George’s County to Tysons if the project were to be delivered as a public-private partnership. |
| Details for Upcoming Public HearingsTime: 6 – 8 p.m.Format: In-person with an open house at 6 p.m., presentation at 6:30 p.m.,followed by a formal public comment session |
| Monday, June 2, 2025Thomas A. Edison High SchoolCafeteria5801 Franconia RoadAlexandria, VA 22310 | Wednesday, June 4, 2025Oxon Hill High SchoolAuditorium6701 Leyte DriveOxon Hill, MD 20745 |
| Monday, June 9, 2025West Potomac High SchoolCafeteria6500 Quander RoadAlexandria, VA 22307 | Wednesday, June 11, 2025Nannie J. Lee MemorialRecreation Center1108 Jefferson StreetAlexandria, VA 22314 |
| A virtual public information room containing the hearing materials and information, and opportunities to provide comments online, is available now. The same presentation and information will be provided to the public at all four hearings. Individual questions will be addressed during the open house portion of the hearing, but not during the formal comment session following the presentation. Speakers will be asked to limit their comments to three minutes per person, and one speaker per organization. Additionally, attendees can provide their comments to the court reporter or submit a written comment form. Other Ways to Provide Comments:Complete the online comment form at www.vdot.virginia.gov/495southsideEmail to: 495southsideexpresslanes@vdot.virginia.govSubmit by mail to:Michelle Shropshire, P.E.VDOT Northern Virginia Megaprojects Director4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030Call VDOT at: 703-691-6044 or TTY/TDD 711 All comments must be received by June 26, 2025, to be included in the public hearing report. VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT Civil Rights at 703-259-1775 or TTY/TDD 711. Background on the 495 Southside Express Lanes Study:VDOT’s recommended two express lanes alternative would add capacity to the 495 Southside Study corridor, moving more people, and offering faster and more reliable express lanes travel toll-free for buses and carpools of three or more people, and for drivers who choose to pay a toll. The two express lanes option would also bring a potential funding source for new and expanded transit services and other transportation improvements benefitting the full Virginia-Maryland study corridor. The new express lanes would use existing, unused space on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge previously designated for future HOV, bus transit or rail use, with a commitment by VDOT to convert necessary space to rail transit in the future, if and when the region is poised to expand rail in the corridor. After evaluating 10 potential alternatives and conducting detailed analysis of two build alternatives – alongside a required no-build scenario for baseline comparison – VDOT determined that the two express lanes alternative would best address current and future transportation needs along the 495 Southside Corridor. This southern section of the Capital Beltway currently carries approximately 200,000 vehicles per day and experiences recurring traffic congestion and unreliable travel times that could more than double by the year 2050 if improvements are not made. The corridor also lacks robust bicycle and pedestrian connections and offers no fast, reliable mass transit options for east-west travel. VDOT began the 495 Southside Study in early 2022 and is conducting an environmental assessment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The study is in alignment with the region’s Transportation Planning Board’s approved Visualize 2045 Plan “Aspirational Initiatives” to expand the express highway network. |
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