VDOT recently released their “preferred” plans for the Transform 66 project both inside and outside the Beltway.
I have serious concerns about both proposed plans and encourage the citizens of Northern Virginia to learn more about these plans and voice their opinions to VDOT both through the Transform66.org website and at the upcoming meetings.
The Transform 66 plan for inside the Beltway is proposed to begin construction in 2016 and will convert all lanes of I-66 inside the Beltway to HOV-3/Toll lanes during peak hours in both directions. The estimated tolls could be as high as $17/day which would be over $4,000/year for citizens who use these lanes. I have numerous concerns but the main one is that these tolls will not be used to add new lanes to I-66 inside the Beltway but rather the funds will be turned over to an unelected board which will use the funds to build bike paths and expand bus services. The soonest VDOT would even consider adding another lane inside the Beltway would be approximately 10 years from now.
The Transform 66 plan for outside the Beltway is to convert the existing HOV lane to a 24/7 HOV-3/Toll lane and build another lane in each direction which will also be HOV-3/Toll. No additional regular use lanes will be built. Again, I have multiple concerns. Making the lanes HOV-3 and disallowing Hybrid users from using the new lanes will almost certainly put more vehicles into the regular lanes. It is also unfair to citizens who made decisions about where to live and what vehicles to purchase based on the current rules. At a minimum current Hybrid owners should be grandfathered.
Additionally, these new lanes on I-66 outside the Beltway will be tolled 24/7 which will reduce the number of regular use lanes available during off-peak hours because currently drivers can use the HOV lanes during non-HOV hours. Lastly, it seems likely that VDOT will also take the existing shoulder lanes that are available for use during peak hours to build the HOT lanes which again, reduces the number of regular use lanes.
Again, if any of these plans concern you I encourage you to contact VDOT and attend the upcoming meetings. There will be a meeting at Piney Branch Elementary School, 8301 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA 20136 on October 21, 2015 from 6:30-8:30PM.
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Due to inclement weather, the Prince William County Judicial Center will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 6, 2025. This closure affects all courts at the Judicial Center, including the Circuit…
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS), the second-largest school division in Virginia, announced the closure of all schools and offices for Monday, January 6, 2025, due to a Winter Storm Warning. The announcement, posted on the division’s official account on X, formerly known as Twitter, stated, “Due to Winter Storm Warning, all Prince William County Public Schools and Offices will be closed Code Red on Monday, January 6, 2025 (exception: Inclement Weather Employees). Weather conditions will be monitored throughout Monday and an update will be provided as needed.”
The closure affects more than 90,000 students enrolled across the division’s 100 schools, including elementary, middle, high schools, and specialty programs. PWCS serves a diverse and growing population, providing a range of academic, athletic, and extracurricular opportunities for students in Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Under the Code Red designation, only designated inclement weather employees are required to report to work. The school division emphasized that it will continue to monitor weather conditions throughout the day on Monday and provide further updates if necessary.
Manassas Park City Schools (MPCS) announced that all schools will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, citing snowy conditions as the reason for the closure. The announcement on the division’s website stated, “All Manassas Park City Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 6th, due to snowy conditions. Code RED for employees.”
The closure affected more than 3,000 students enrolled in the city’s four schools, which include Cougar Elementary, Manassas Park Elementary, Manassas Park Middle School, and Manassas Park High School. MPCS serves the small, tight-knit community of Manassas Park and provides a range of academic and extracurricular programs designed to meet the needs of its students.
A Code RED designation means that all school employees, except those specifically designated for inclement weather duties, are not required to report to work.
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra, this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
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Travel to French soil and celebrate with us for an unforgettable evening of delicious food, wine and music.
What better way to celebrate the end of the 2024 wine harvest in style than at the Embassy of France at DC’s only official celebration?
This is the Wine Event Of The Year!
