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Comment on plans to reduce I-66 congestion

WASHINGTON — Transportation officials in Virginia are seeking comment from the public on a range of multimodal projects aimed at reducing the number of vehicles and improving travel times on the heavily congested stretch of Interstate 66 inside the Capital Beltway.

The public comment period begins Tuesday. It runs through May 5, when the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission will host a public hearing on the matter.

The commission is considering 19 proposals, deciding which ones should receive funding. The proposed projects focus largely on new and improved bus service. Also included are more Park-and-Ride options, better signs and information for travelers and enhanced bike-sharing services.

“We’re going to begin to build multi-modal on 66 to give you a lot more options,” Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe told WTOP’s Ask the Governor Program last week.

See pictures and a full list of the proposals.

When Express Lanes open on I-66 inside the Beltway next year, the commission will have the authority to funnel toll revenue from the lanes into various projects meant to encourage drivers to leave their cars behind and try out different transportation options.

You can submit comments, or register to speak at the public hearing, by emailing the commission or calling 703-NVTC-321 (703-688-2321).

Metro and IndyCar team up for a busy weekend of Freedom 250 Grand Prix events

No, you weren't hallucinating Thursday morning — that was an IndyCar being pulled along the Metro tracks through a portion of D.C. It was part of a promotion between the Freedom 250 Grand Prix and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to remind people that the best way to navigate the expected huge crowds this weekend is to take Metro. "Even IndyCar knows the fastest way to get around is actually on Metro," said Randy Clarke, the transit agency's general manager and CEO. "We're really excited about this, and this car was a really kind of fun way to show a different way that people can see the Metro system, and we're having a little fun." The IndyCar, described as a work car that will not run in any of the races scheduled over the weekend, was fastened aboard a flat-bed train car and pulled along the yellow line, beginning at the King Street station up to the Mount Vernon station then back south to the L'Enfant Plaza station. Metro riders gawked at the multicolored, low-profile racecar as the train paused at L'Enfant for a photo op.
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