public hearing for tier 2 draft environmental assessment may 27,...
TRANSCRIPT
Public Hearing
for Tier 2 Draft Environmental Assessment
May 27, May 28, June 2, June 3
Renee Hamilton, VDOT, Deputy District Administrator
Susan Shaw, P.E., VDOT, Megaprojects Director
Purpose of Tonight’s
Public Hearing
Provide information and gain public input:
• Tier 2 Draft Environmental Assessment (EA)
• Updated design concepts
• Technical reports including Section 4(f) Evaluation, Air Quality
Analysis, Alternatives Development, Preliminary Noise Analysis,
Transit and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Technical
Report, and Transportation Technical Report
Opportunities to provide formal comments for the public record:
• Submit written comments on the comment sheet
• Provide oral comments following the presentation or to a court
reporter
Why Improve I-66?
• Improve safety
• Move more people
• Connect regional
transit/HOV/express lanes network
• Expand mode choices and transit
options
• Reduce hours of congestion per day
• Reduce cut-through traffic on local
roads
• Better accommodate future travel
demand
Purpose and Need
Address existing and future transportation problems
• Improve multimodal mobility along the I-66 corridor by
providing diverse travel choices in a cost-effective
manner
• Enhance transportation safety and travel reliability
I-66 Outside the Beltway
Improvement Area
Tier 1
Environmental Impact Statement
• 10 Improvement Concepts General Purpose Lanes
Managed Lanes
Metrorail Extension
Light Rail Transit
Bus Rapid Transit
VRE Extension
Improve Spot Locations and Chokepoints
Intermodal Connectivity
Safety Improvements
Transportation Communication and Technology
• No one Improvement Concept meets the Purpose and Need
• Six Capacity Improvement Concepts were combined into 47 different
scenarios, called Improvement Concept Scenarios
Tier 1 Highest Performing
Scenarios
• Based on ability to meet purpose and need elements:
Two Managed Lanes + Metrorail
Two Managed Lanes + Metrorail + VRE
One New General Lane + Two Managed Lanes + Metrorail
Two New General Lanes + Two Managed Lanes + BRT + VRE
Two New General Lanes + Two Managed Lanes + BRT
• Highest Performing = top 10 ranking for all 4 Purpose and Needs
elements or at least three Purpose and Needs elements and lowest
cost
• Note: Each candidate concept refers to number of lanes in each
direction
Maximize increase in person-trips while minimizing impacts
Why This Solution Now?
Project Scope Elements
• Two Express Lanes (convert existing HOV lane & add one lane) HOV-3 and buses travel free
Non-HOV tolled
Congestion-based tolls (similar to other Express Lanes in region)
Converting HOV-2 to HOV-3 by 2020, consistent with the
region’s Constrained Long Range Plan
• Three regular lanes Open to all traffic
No tolls
Ramp-to-ramp connections (auxiliary lanes)
• Rapid bus service and other multimodal improvements High frequency of service during peak hours and new service
available beyond peak hours
Travel in express lanes for predictable travel times
Park-and-Ride lots, Transportation Demand Management
Typical Section Alternatives
10
290’
Alt. 1 – Concrete Barrier with Full Shoulders and Median for Future Center Transit
(with auxiliary lanes, if needed)
246’
Alt. 2A – Flexible Barrier with Buffer and Median for Future Center Transit
(with auxiliary lanes, if needed)
206’
Alt. 2B – Flexible Barrier with Buffer and No Median
(with auxiliary lanes, if needed)
Express Lanes Access
Alternatives
Path to Preferred Alternative
Universe of Alternatives
for Roadways and
Interchanges
Environmental Draft
Alternative 2A
Environmental Draft
Alternative 2B
Preferred Alternative
(combination of best
elements from each
alternative)
Transit, Park and Ride Lots, and TDM
Mainline Alternatives Access Alternatives Interchange Alternatives
Public Input
Overview of Environmental
Impacts
Key Findings: Noise Study
• Conducted a preliminary noise analysis based on the preliminary
concept plans
• Noise analysts used field measurements and computer models to
analyze and predict noise levels, based on the loudest hour of the
day for future conditions
• All evaluated noise walls will be reevaluated once a preferred
alternative is selected
Key Findings: Traffic Study
• Move more people in the morning and afternoon peak
travel periods
• Reduce hours of congestion
• Improve speeds on I-66 Corridor
• Reduce cut-through traffic on local roads
Traffic Patterns Eastbound
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Source: 2015 I-66 Travel Demand Model using MWCOG version 2.3 and Round 8.3 Land Use Forecasts
Upstream Segment
Analysis Segment
Downstream Segment
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Move More People in the A.M. Peak Hour
Morning Peak Hour Person Trips
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Afternoon Peak Hour Person Trips
Move More People in the P.M. Peak Hour
6:00 AM
6:30 AM
7:00 AM
7:30 AM
8:00 AM
8:30 AM
9:00 AM
9:30 AM
6:00 AM
6:30 AM
7:00 AM
7:30 AM
8:00 AM
8:30 AM
9:00 AM
9:30 AM
6:00 AM
6:30 AM
7:00 AM
7:30 AM
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8:30 AM
9:00 AM
9:30 AM
6:00 AM
6:30 AM
7:00 AM
7:30 AM
8:00 AM
8:30 AM
9:00 AM
9:30 AM
Old Tavern Rd
Haymarket
Manassas
Stringfellow Rd
Monument Dr
Fairfax
Nutley St - Vienna
Gainesville
Centreville
EXIT 31
267
EXIT 56
EXIT 54
EXIT 55
EXIT 53
EXIT 52
EXIT 44
EXIT 43
EXIT 40
EXIT 62
EXIT 64
EXIT 66
EXIT 67
EXIT 60
EXIT 61
EXIT 57
234
Dir
ecti
on o
f Tra
vel
19
Improve Speeds Along Corridor – Morning Peak Period
Comparison of Existing, 2040 No-Build, and Build General Purpose Lanes
Existing
2014 No Build
2040
Build 2A
2040
Build 2B
2040
5 20 35 50 65
Speed Color Scale (mph)
3:30 PM
4:00 PM
4:30 PM
5:00 PM
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
3:30 PM
4:00 PM
4:30 PM
5:00 PM
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
3:30 PM
4:00 PM
4:30 PM
5:00 PM
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
3:30 PM
4:00 PM
4:30 PM
5:00 PM
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
Old Tavern
Rd
Haymarket
Manassas
Stringfellow Rd
Monument Dr
Fairfax
Nutley St - Vienna
EXIT 31
EXIT 56
EXIT 54
EXIT 55
EXIT 53
EXIT 52
EXIT 44
EXIT 43
EXIT 40
EXIT 62
EXIT 64
EXIT 66
EXIT 67
EXIT 60
EXIT 61
EXIT 57
Dir
ecti
on o
f Tra
vel
Gainesville
Centreville
267
234
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Improve Speeds Along Corridor – Afternoon/Evening Peak Period
Comparison of Existing, 2040 No-Build, and Build General Purpose Lanes
Existing
2014 No Build
2040
Build 2A
2040
Build 2B
2040
5 20 35 50 65
Speed Color Scale (mph)
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• As congestion increases on I-66, vehicles divert to other roads (such as US 29/US 50)
including local and residential streets
Reduce Cut-Through Traffic
Legend
Primary parallel route (US 29/50)
Secondary cut-through route
Preliminary Right of Way Impacts
Project Goal: Minimize the project footprint, while determining the most
effective and viable solutions for the I-66 Corridor
WORK IN PROGRESS
Preliminary Concepts I-66/I-495 Interchange - Alternative 2A
Preliminary Concepts Dunn Loring Area – Alternative 2B
Preliminary Concepts Chain Bridge (Route 123) Interchange Area
Alternative 2B
Safety Improvements
• Eliminate tight loop ramps
• Increase acceleration and deceleration lanes
• Reduce number of weaving segments
Nu
tley
St
M
M
Operations and Intelligent
Transportation Systems
Potential Strategies:
• Share real-time information, such as
park & ride space availability
• Active lane management during and after
construction
• Display travel times
• Effectively manage incidents through
video surveillance
• Upgrade fiber optic communications
network
• Enable connected/automated vehicles in
the future
Moving More People With
Multimodal Solutions
11
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New I-66 Transit Service
Features
New I-66 commuter bus service:
• A.M. peak period eastbound
• P.M. peak period westbound
• Uses managed lanes
New I-66 Rapid Bus Service (RBS):
• Buses depart every 20 minutes during
peak periods
• Service originates at park-and-rides
• Service connects multiple park-and-ride
facilities in the corridor with the Orange &
Silver Metro Lines at East Falls Church
• Uses managed lanes
Destinations include:
• Route 28 corridor
• Herndon-Reston area
• Tysons Corner
• Merrifield
• East Falls Church
• Arlington
• District of Columbia
I-66 Park-and-Ride Facilities
Existing and Project Improvements
P
P
P
P
P P
Ha
ym
ark
et
(US
15)
Ma
na
ssa
s
(Balls
Ford
Rd.)
Ga
ine
svill
e
(C
ushin
g R
d/R
oute
234 B
ypass)
Ga
ine
svill
e
(Univ
ers
ity B
lvd.)
Mo
nu
men
t
P
P New Existing – proposed
expansion by project
Existing P
P P
P P P
P
P
P
P
P
P P
P
P P
P
Transportation Demand
Strategies
• Designed to directly promote the use of existing and proposed
transit services and park-and-rides
• Proposed strategies:
• Marketing of new transit services and park-and-ride facilities
• Branding of transit service
• Increasing awareness of new transportation options
• Limited-time fare discounts for new transit users
• Financial incentives and assistance for carpools and vanpools
• Support bicycle and pedestrian access within the corridor
• Support casual carpooling (slugging, similar to I-95)
• Existing TDM strategies in the region will continue
Transit, Park & Ride, TDM
• Combination of transit services, park-and-ride improvements,
and TDM strategies
• Increased number of one-seat rides
• Reliable travel time
• Increased options for travel in the off-peak periods and
weekends
• Adaptable service as travel patterns change over time
• Expanded and new park-and-rides
with multimodal connections
• Support and incentives for non-single occupant
vehicle travel
Enhance bicycle network in Fairfax and Prince William Counties:
• New crossings of I-66 would better accommodate bicycle and
pedestrians, connect routes
Bicycle and Pedestrian Access At
Bridge Crossings
Bicycle and Pedestrian Access
Parallel to I-66
• Bike and pedestrian access parallel to I-66 under evaluation, in compliance with Fairfax
and Prince William Counties comprehensive plans
• Path section has been reduced per Fairfax County ‘s request to reduce impacts
Public Outreach & Agency
Coordination
• More than 119 outreach meetings to date
• Public notification and briefings prior to
NEPA Public Hearings with: o Direct-impact homeowner associations
o Key stakeholder groups
o Northern Va. Congressional Delegation
o General Assembly members
o Local officials
o Transportation groups
• Proactive media engagement
• Transform66.org and interactive
community discussion board
More than 1,000 emails received
• Email updates
• Responding to public inquiries
Project Procurement
• Method of procurement for I-66 Outside the Beltway not yet
determined
• Range of options under consideration include:
• Financial experts, advisors, and public and elected officials, are
working to evaluate the various options, while ensuring the greatest
value to the public.
• Evaluation results will be presented to CTB later this year before
advancing the project into the procurement phase.
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Publicly financed
design-build contract
Public-private partnership
(p3)procurement
Key Milestones
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Public Input on Environmental
Assessment
• Comments received will be considered in the final decision on a
preferred alternative, and will be addressed in a revised
Environmental Assessment, anticipated to be released in late 2015
• All comments must be received by June 18, 2015
How to Provide Comments
At the Public Hearings:
• Submit written comments on the comment sheet.
• Provide oral comments during the public comment period (all
comments limited to three minutes), or to court reporter (limited to five
minutes if there is a line).
Mail:
• Mail written comments to VDOT, attention Susan Shaw, at: VDOT
Northern Virginia District, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
Email:
• Email your comments or questions to
Online:
• Submit your comments via the online comment form, available at
Transform66.org.
Visit
Transform66.org
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