All drivers on I-66 will soon be able to use HOV-only ramps at Stringfellow Road and Monument Drive in Fairfax County during off-peak hours because Congressman Gerry Connolly convinced the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration that the change would help reduce traffic congestion.

“This is a victory for Northern Virginia commuters,” Connolly said, after receiving confirmation this week from FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez that the I-66 ramp changes will take place as soon as planning is completed and signage is installed.

In a May 26 letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Connolly said opening the HOV ramps to non-HOV traffic during non-rush-hour periods “is a common sense approach to improving the traffic flow in the I-66 corridor.  As you know, congestion frequently occurs outside of peak hours along I-66, so improving traffic flow at all times of day is important to my constituents.”

In pushing for the change, Connolly said, “It is nonsensical to close the HOV access lanes on I-66 during off-peak hours.”  Connolly said the change will reduce congestion on local roads in the surrounding area because it will provide more direct access to I-66.  Opening the ramps during off-peak periods will allow traffic to enter and exit I-66 at all times, unlike one-way HOV ramps on I-395, so there is no need to coordinate direction of traffic flow onto or off of the ramps.” 

 “I am delighted that Secretary LaHood and Administrator Mendez saw the benefits of opening the ramps to non-HOV drivers,” Connolly said, noting that the federal officials confirmed in their letter to him that they understood the “importance” of this issue to drivers in the I-66 corridor.

Connolly praised the FHWA for meeting with VDOT to evaluate the proposal and quickly reaching a decision that will benefit Northern Virginia commuters.