ACT NOW TO STOP THE WIDENING OF I-66

Dear Fairfax County WABA member:

As you may know, there is a proposal to widen I-66 within the Beltway.  It is being called a "spot improvement" program, but in reality it would result in a three-lane highway in the westbound direction much of the way from D.C. to the Beltway. 

This idea is being rammed forward with hardly any analysis by Congressman Frank Wolf over the objection of Arlington County, bicyclists and even many drivers.  There has been no study of the environmental impact of the widening and no requirement for instituting carpool lanes or better bus service.  Most ominously for cyclists, the vitally important Custis Trail could become a casualty of the widening.

There will be an important vote next Wednesday, May 16, on whether to proceed with this highway widening project.  The vote will take place at the Transportation Planning Board of the Council of Governments.  It is important that TPB send this poorly thought-through proposal back to the drawing board for much more study.

As Arlington County Board Member Chris Zimmerman has said, "Fighting congestion by adding a lane to I-66 is like fighting obesity by loosening your belt."  Congestion in the corridor needs a much more comprehensive solution that involves transit, carpooling, ride-sharing, cycling and possibly even peak-period tolls.

Your Fairfax County Supervisor, Linda Smyth, is a key player in this controversy.  Last month she courageously voted to defer moving forward on the I-66 widening.  Please thank her for her vote and urge her to once again vote against the widening.  Tell her that you are concerned about the Custis Trail and that you do not favor mindless road-widening without a comprehensive solution to the congestion problem - including such facilities as a Metro extension to Tysons Corner and the Dulles corridor.

To send an e-mail message to Supervisor Smyth, click on this address: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/contact/mailform.asp?ref=1015

To call Supervisor Smyth's office, dial 703-560-6946.  If she is not there, leave a detailed message with her staff.

Please write or call today - time is of the essence.

Thank you.

Eric Gilliland
Executive Director