Landmark area residents organize effort to oppose I-395 ramp

People who live in several housing developments next to the
forthcoming flyover ramp on Interstate 395 in the Landmark area are up in arms
about the dangerously high air pollution levels likely to be generated by
increased traffic congestion. They are also concerned about noise, damage to
wetlands, and increased traffic clogging side streets.

A newly formed advocacy group called Concerned Residents of Landmark is urging the Virginia Department of Transportation to delay the
project until the full impact can
be determined. They’ve collected over 1,400 signatures on a petition that
states: “We fear for our health, our homes, our environment, and our quality of
life. In its rush to build, VDOT has failed to assess the negative impact the
ramp will have on adjacent communities.”

Mary Hasty of the Concerned Residents group said the organization has scheduled meetings with Rep. Jim Moran and state Del. Vivian Watts and is
seeking a meeting with Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova.

The ramp, known as the “northern terminus project,” would be
used for motorists exiting the I-395 “express lanes,” which would be restricted
to carpoolers and drivers who pay tolls under the same sort of “dynamic
pricing” scheme recently implemented on a section of the beltway running
through Annandale.

The I-395 express lanes were originally supposed to end at
Eads Street in Arlington, but that plan was rejected by Arlington County. An
alternative plan to end the express lanes at the beltway mixing bowl was nixed
by Fairfax County, so a flyover ramp is now slated for the section of the
highway that passes Turkeycock Run between the Edsall Road and Duke Street
exits.

Among the housing developments affected are Overlook, Bren Mar Park, Lincolnia Park, Landmark Mews, the Watergate at Landmark, Olympus, and
Jefferson Square.  

The Concerned Residents group spent $50,000 to commission an
independent environmental analysis by John Britton, a managing partner with the
Schnader Harrison Segal and Lewis law firm. Britton presented his findings at a
meeting of the Overlook HOA board Dec. 19. 

Britton’s analysis found the increased traffic congestion
when the northern terminus is built will lead to levels of nitrogen dioxide
(N02) that are 10 to 20 times higher than the EPA standard.

Research has shown “well-documented, significant impacts on
public health” from increased levels of N02, he said, and that’s of most
concern to the most susceptible populations, including  children, the elderly, and people with chronic
illnesses like asthma and heart disease.

“This is serious,” Britton said. “These are troubling results.
. . . Even short-term exposure can cause serious impacts. We’re talking about
taking years off your life.” The air pollution would affect people at nearby playgrounds,
parks, backyards—and even inside houses.

His study also predicted increased levels of “fine
particulate matter” (PM2.5), which is invisible but gets embedded inside the
lungs and can cause cardiovascular and respiratory problems. While Britton found “significant levels” of PM2.5 in the
study area, a more comprehensive analysis would be needed to determine if this
pollutant would violate the EPA standards.

“Our results are red flags,” Britton said, noting that his
analysis was somewhat limited although it relies on an EPA-sanctioned model not
used by VDOT.

According to Britton, VDOT is required by law to analyze the
environmental impact of projects and disclose the results to the public before
a decision is made and also is prohibited from undertaking activities that
contribute to the deterioration of environmental quality. “VDOT didn’t do this,” he said.
Instead of doing a study of the area most affected by the ramp,
VDOT’s study was done on a regional basis.

If traffic were zooming through, it would not be a problem,
Britton said. It’s when cars are backed up and idling that pollution levels
rise to unacceptable levels. His study estimates there will be way more traffic
congestion when the ramp is built, not only on the ramp itself, but as
increased traffic spilling over onto side streets, including Beauregard Street,
Little River Turnpike, Van Dorn Street, Seminary Road, and Edsall Road.  

Britton accused VDOT of “shirking its public duty” by not
doing the required analysis.