Despite opposition, VDOT begins work on Interstate 95 ramp
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| The ramp would be parallel to Stevenson Avenue. |
Despite the efforts of nearby residents
to stop construction of a ramp on Interstate I-95 north of the Edsall Road
exit, the Virginia Department of Transportation has begun work on the project.
I-95 express lanes and would be used by drivers heading toward Washington,
D.C., who must transfer from the express lanes to the regular lanes or to the
Duke Street exit.
A group residents who live near the
ramp in Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria formed a group called
Concerned Residents of Landmark to urge VDOT to stop, or at least delay, the
ramp project. An environmental study they commissioned determined that traffic backups on I-95 as drivers try to
exit the express leans will lead to dangerously high levels of air pollution.
blog, the City of Alexandria is joining the residents’ opposition to the ramp.
It quotes Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg as saying: “Science is convincing, and
they had an outside firm that’s very prestigious do this research, and it is
very convincing. We are certainly going to make the case from an environmental
and health perspective.”
Mary Hasty, one of the founders of Concerned Residents
of Landmark, says VDOT accelerated its construction in light of the mounting
opposition, but it’s not too late to halt the project. “Even if they’ve driven
the piles, when the public health issue comes to light, they can stop,” she
told Transportation Nation.
Monday through Saturday driving concrete pile foundations in the median area
for the new ramp. This part of the project should take three or four
weeks. According to VDOT, no lanes will be closed, and the work is not expected
to affect traffic.
is finished, construction will progress to the right side of I-395 north off
the roadway. Work in this area is expected to continue into late spring.
Meanwhile, VDOT reports, the I-95/395 high-occupancy vehicle lanes will remain
closed every night, 8 p.m.-5 a.m., Monday through Thursday, and Fridays, 11
p.m.-9 a.m. During daytime construction hours, there will continue to be single lane closures
on I-95 southbound lanes 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and northbound 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.