A study, presented at the October meeting of the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board, is set to look at a range of current and future multimodal solutions to reduce congestion, improve trip reliability and regional connections, and enhance existing multimodal connectivity on the I-495 American Legion Bridge.
“This study demonstrates the Commonwealth’s commitment to deliver network options that offer more seamless mobility throughout the region,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “Identifying multimodal opportunities is integral to addressing congestion, maximizing reliability, and creating a sustainable transportation network.”
The I-495 Bridge is the only direct connection between the region’s two most heavily populated counties – Fairfax County in Virginia and Montgomery County in Maryland. Since 1965, traffic on the bridge has increased from 48,000 vehicles daily to more than 235,000 daily. Officials estimate the bridge could see 280,000 vehicles a day by 2040.
“The Commonwealth is committed to safely, efficiently, and sustainably transporting people and goods,” stated Jennifer Mitchell, Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. “The American Legion Bridge is an essential artery connecting Virginia and Maryland. The findings of this study will help relieve congestion, accommodate future regional growth, use technology to inform commuter choice, and develop multimodal solutions to meet travel demand.”
Recommendations from the study will need to work with Virginia’s I-495 NEXT project and Maryland’s Managed Lanes study to provide a regionwide, seamless network of reliable travel options around the Capital Beltway.
Draft recommendations will be available in mid-November for public input. The final report is scheduled to be complete in January 2021.