FAIRFAX, Va. — Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne said Thursday that public meetings in October are unlikely to change the broad footprint of the expansion of Interstate 66, which means 11 families could lose their homes.
At a briefing for elected officials, Layne said that while he wishes no homes were impacted, the proposed preferred alternative for the project to turn 66 outside the Beltway into a road with two express HOV or toll lanes and three regular lanes is an expansion in an already crowded area.
Several elected officials also raised concerns about the plan for inside the Beltway, which will add HOV or toll rules in the non-peak direction at rush hour, as well as allowing solo drivers to join the lanes for a variable fee in the peak direction.
That plan is scheduled to begin in 2017, with a transition from HOV-2 traveling free to HOV-3 traveling free by 2020.
Right now, VDOT data shows a third to nearly half of cars on 66 inside the beltway at rush hour, when it is supposed to be HOV-2 only, are solo drivers. Some solo drivers are allowed based on exceptions for older hybrid vehicles.
Outside the Beltway, construction is set to begin in 2017. It will create delays for years until the project is completed in 2021.
