Written By: VDOT
| Report includes responses to public comments received on VDOT’s recommended preferred alternative of adding two express lanes in each direction on I-495 Southside corridor |
| The public comment summary report from the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) recent public hearings on the I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study (I-495 Southside Study) is now available online. The report includes the nearly 1,000 comments that were received during the public hearing comment period, VDOT responses, hearing transcripts, and letters and emails from elected officials, agencies, and other organizations. Comments were submitted to VDOT in person at the hearings, online, and by mail, email, and phone. The hearing presentation, display boards, and other materials are also available on the study webpage. VDOT held location public hearings in June 2025 to present its recommended preferred alternative for the I-495 Southside Study. The team conducted four hearings at sites throughout the study corridor, which spans from the Springfield Interchange in Virginia, across the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, to the MD 210 Interchange in Maryland. About the I-495 Southside Study:VDOT’s environmental study of the potential extension of express lanes in the 11-mile southern section of the Capital Beltway began in 2022, and involves completion of an Environmental Assessment document in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), as well as state and local agencies in Virginia and Maryland, and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). After extensive study and evaluation, VDOT’s recommended preferred alternative, which includes adding two express lanes in each direction on I-495, alongside the existing general-purpose lanes, has been determined to be the best, near-term solution to address the current and future traffic challenges within this critical regional corridor. The two express lanes recommended preferred alternative would provide substantial improvements on this section of the Capital Beltway including: Future traffic relief, moving up to 2,400 more people during peak hours, and providing up to 19-minute-faster travel times in the local lanes in 2050, compared to the No-Build alternative of doing nothingFunding for new bus transit service between Central-West Prince George’s County and TysonsBike and pedestrian improvements including creating a trail network between Springfield and Oxon Hill through project additions, existing trails, and other trail projectsPreservation of space on the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge for future rail transitPotential funding source for new/expanded transit services and other improvements benefiting the corridorAdded capacity to relieve congestion, manage demand, and keep traffic moving (toll free for carpools and buses)Additional capacity to manage roadway operations and emergencies Input from the public included in this comment summary report has been reviewed by the study team to inform continued consideration of the recommended preferred alternative and completion of the I-495 Southside Study. |
