NVTC approves seven projects for I-66 Corridor to provide 4,000 daily trips, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 84 percent

A Program of Projects was approved by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) for I-66 Commuter Choice consisting of seven projects that move more people and create viable, effective transportation options.  

The projects will benefit Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Manassas Park and OmniRide and include: 

Two rail capital improvements that would leverage a total of more than $160 million in other federal, commonwealth, regional and local funds and provide decades of benefit to corridor commuters. 

Continuations of three established commuter bus services funded in prior funding rounds, all of which are experiencing rebounding ridership and two of which will provide faster and more reliable travel once the I-66 Outside the Beltway Express Lanes open later this year. 

A commuter incentive campaign to bolster ridership on commuter bus routes from Prince William County into Arlington and Washington, D.C., by temporarily reducing fares in the first 10 months that the new I-66 Outside the Beltway Express Lanes are open. 

A critical one-mile segment of the planned Outside the Beltway I-66 Trail that will provide a safe, comfortable means for cyclists and pedestrians to access the Vienna Metrorail Station. 

For the first time, staff estimated the emissions and fuel savings benefits for the proposed program, which will account for: 

• More than 4,000 daily trips in the corridor; 
• At least 16 million fewer annual vehicle miles traveled; 
• 83,000 hours of travel delay saved each year; 
• 84 percent greenhouse gas reduction compared to driving alone; and, 
• More than $2 million annual savings for commuters in fuel costs. 

The projects now move to the Commonwealth Transportation Board for action later in June.