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TextNew HOT Lanes Bridges Open on Braddock Road and Little River Turnpike
In the shadow of the new Little River Turnpike overpass, Supervisor Cook
noted that big projects like the I-495 HOT Lanes are a way for the county
to meet the transportation challenges for the future. One hallmark of
these projects is the involvement of several groups. “You see the result
of that today,” Cook said, before joining project and elected officials
to cut the ribbon for the second span of the overpasses at Braddock Road
and Little River Turnpike
The I-495 HOT Lanes is one of the Virginia Megaprojects, which are large
scale construction projects in Northern Virginia that will significantly
improve transportation in the area. Other Megaprojects include the Dulles
Corridor Metrorail Project, Telegraph Road interchange, Fairfax County
Parkway extension, and the I-95 widening project, which was opened in
July.
On the Fairfax County Parkway, VDOT is working on the final phase of the
project to realign Rolling and Hooes Road. In late August, a new ramp was
opened, improving the flow of traffic from the Fairfax County Parkway to
the eastbound lanes of the Franconia-Springfield Parkway. Part of Donegal
Lane was closed and the beams were placed for the new overpass, carrying
Rolling Road over the parkway. This project is scheduled to be finished
in spring 2012.
In late September, state officials are holding a series of public
information meetings for the I-95 HOV/HOT lanes. This will be an
opportunity to get information on design plans for the proposed high
occupancy vehicle (HOV) and high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes between
Edsall Road in Fairfax County and Garrisonville Road in Stafford County.
The meeting schedule is as follows:
Monday, September 26, 2011, 5:00 to 8:00
p.m.
Botts Fire Hall, 1306 F Street, Woodbridge, VA
22191
Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 5:00 to 8:00
p.m.
Waterford 6715 Commerce Street, Springfield, VA
22150
Thursday, September 29, 2011, 5:00 to 8:00
p.m.
North Stafford High School, 839 Garrisonville
Road, Stafford, VA 22554
Life After HOT Lanes Construction: Restore Your Property with Natural Landscaping
Due to the massive I-495 HOT Lanes construction project, many
neighborhoods with property or public right-of-way adjacent to the
Beltway have lost trees, shrubs, and other plants which provided
screening that previously blocked the view, noise, and pollution of the
Beltway. Although sound walls are now in place, replanting these areas
with native species can restore lost beauty and enhance privacy while
also providing a home for beneficial wildlife such as songbirds and
butterflies.
Using native plants also takes less time and money than many traditional
landscaping approaches. Hear local experts from the Virginia Department
of Forestry, Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and more speak about
the benefits of native vegetation and the various local programs that
help guide landowners through the landscaping process. Whether you’re
trying to block that unwanted view of rush hour traffic or simply trying
to mitigate the impact of a newly installed sound wall, this conference
will have information for you. Afterwards, stick around for a light
lunch, and chat with our speakers about your particular yard. This
program is hosted by Supervisor Cook, and presented by the Fairfax County
Restoration Project.
Location: Braddock District Community Room, 9002 Burke Lake Rd, Burke,
VA 22015. More information will be available on the Fairfax County
Restoration Project website: http:www. http://www.fcrpp3.org/
Time: Saturday, October 8, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost: Free but space is limited! Please RSVP to Dan Schwartz:
Dan.Schwartz@fairfaxcounty.gov, (703)-324-1422.
Transurban Announces Community Grant Cycle
Over the last two years, Transurban and Fluor, the private partners
advancing the Capital Beltway HOT Lanes Project, have awarded 55 grants
to nonprofit organizations in Fairfax County through its Capital Beltway
Community Grant Program. This grant program is aimed at supporting
organizations that serve communities adjacent to and most affected by the
construction of the HOT Lanes. Grants are awarded in amounts between $250
and $5,000. Submitted projects should meet the following goals:
•Promote safety
•Enhance or protect the environment
•Support the amenity, economic development or
well-being of communities
Past grant recipients have focused on a range of program objectives
including: enhancing the safety of neighborhoods and bicyclists;
improving aesthetics of neighborhoods directly impacted by HOT Lanes
construction; improving quality of life through cultural events, early
childhood education and care, and by providing furniture to families in
need; and promoting sustainable living and protecting the environment
through an organic vegetable garden and Web site to centralize
County-wide environmental coordination efforts. An overview of the grant
program guidelines is available here for your reference.
Communities may access the grant application package online at
www.virginiahotlanes.com/grants. Applications are awarded on a quarterly
basis and are due for this review period by September 30, 2011. Grant
applications should be emailed Mike McGurk at mmcgurk@transurban.com, or
submitted via the website.
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