FABB Blog

 

Support a W&OD Trail Bridge Over Lee Highway

VDOT rendering of W&OD Trail bridge

As part of the I-66 widening, VDOT has proposed building a bridge for the W&OD trail over Lee Highway. This would improve safety for trail users as well as speeding everyone along. This has become controversial and theArlington County Board has heard from a number of neighborhood residents asking them to oppose the bridge.

The project will be done as part of a design-build contract, so the design is still up in the air. The at-grade crossing will remain after the bridge is build since people who are frequenting the nearby businesses will still want to cross Lee Highway without having to do a long detour to get up onto the bridge.

If you support the bridge over Lee Highway, the Arlington Board needs to hear from you ASAP.

The Easy Option: Email the County Board at countyboard@arlingtonva.us. It doesn't have to be long.  

[Sample message: I am writing to express my support for the VDOT proposed bridge for the W&OD trail over Lee Highway as part of the Widening I-66 Inside the Beltway project. This would improve safety for trail users as well as reduce problems for motorists transiting the crossing area. I urge VDOT to insure that the bridge is included in the final plans. Construction of the bridge will offer significant safety improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians at this very congested intersection.]

The More Impactful Option: Come out to the County Board Meeting THIS SATURDAY and sign-up to speak on agenda item #37. The Virginia Department of Transportations Transform I-66 Inside the Beltway: Environmental Assessment for the widening of I-66 from the Dulles Connector to Fairfax Drive.

This grade-separated crossing is called for in the bicycle element of the Master Transportation Plan. It is important for safety now and will be even more important with the growing volume of turning cars coming as part of the I-66 widening. This intersection has been the location of at least 8 bike & ped crashes in recent years.

You can also submit comments online through VDOT’s comment form, or send an email to Transform66@VDOT.Virginia.gov . Be sure to reference “Transform 66 Inside the Beltway Eastbound Widening” in the subject line. The W&OD bridge is included in the proposed build scenario for the I-66 Inside the Beltway Widening Project. The proposal is included in the preliminary design plans and final Environmental Assessment (see page 3-42 of the report) unveiled at public hearings hosted by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in early December.

Thanks to Chris Slatt of the Arlington BAC for the alert.

FABB also sent the following letter to the Arlington County Board of Supervisors:

Labels: i-66 inside the beltway, W and OD Trail

posted by Bruce Wright at 5:45 PM permalink