Broken windshields, blurred lines: Officials get an earful about I-66 toll work

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY — Hazardous construction from the “Transform I-66” project has citizens frustrated, but the Virginia Department of Transportation is working to fix unsafe conditions, according to a quarterly mobility report presented to the Prince William County Board of Supervisors meeting on January 8.

Windshields broken by debris, poorly painted lines and other road issues on I-66 are plaguing drivers, Jeanine Lawson of Brentsville District said during the meeting.

Constituents “feel frustrated that things are falling on deaf ears” and “we’ve received many emails, phone calls, Facebook messages,” Lawson shared. “I’ve learned from constituents of broken windshields… There are a lot of complaints regarding lines that were poorly painted. It can be very dangerous.”

“At this point, folks don’t care who’s responsible. They just are frustrated that the roads they’ve paid for are not safe,” said Lawson.

Ricardo Canizales, transportation director for the County, told board members that “it’s a continual effort” and that VDOT is aware of the situation.

“The lines are being redacted and taken away, leaving scars on the pavement and that causes a lot of issues,” Canizales said. “VDOT continually works on repairing… [and] they do have a crew out there on a continual basis trying to fix those kinds of issues.”

Poor weather conditions from frequent rain and the fact that much of the construction must be done during the night were cited as reasons for the road issues.

“We’ll continue to monitor to make sure that we get better results and are able to get to those challenges and issues on 66 quicker than what they do now,” said Canizales.

The construction is part of a larger VDOT initiative called Transform 66 to ease traffic congestion and provide more travel options by adding toll lanes to the highway, between Haymarket and Dunn Loring in Fairfax County. Construction activities are ongoing, including completion of lane shifts, setting barriers, and clearing and grubbing. Traffic impacts and lane closures are available to the public at transform66.org.

Canizales reported that completed county road projects in 2018 include Minnieville Road widening, a pedestrian footbridge at Powell’s Creek, and intersection lighting improvements for Sudley Manor Drive at Bethlehem Road.

Route 28 remains a major focus in 2019

Several projects are underway in 2019 to improve commuter support. VDOT started construction on a 230-space lot for Park & Ride Haymarket (Gainesville), with anticipated completion for spring 2019. OmniRide announced new commuter express service in Haymarket, which began December 17, 2018. The bus service has also applied for additional funding to bring enhanced services to the western end of the County.

Canizales reported that VDOT would not evaluate a Route 28 expansion project this year for funding. “The state has let us know officially that they will not consider this… because we have multiple alternatives and we did not have a preferred alternative as part of our environmental document,” he said.

Route 28 is a persistent issue for commuters, with some of the worst traffic congestion in Northern Virginia.

“We are still looking at the widening of 28. If we cannot get the permits, we can still move forward” with other alternatives, Canizales explained. “We are moving forward with additional monies that the NVTA [Northern Virginia Transportation Authority] has given us.”

Marty Nohe of Coles District chimed in to clarify that improving 28 is still a priority, and that the County has more than $100 million of Northern Virginia Transportation Authority funding that can be allocated to Route 28.

“This decision on the VDOT’s part doesn’t actually slow down this project at all,” said Nohe. “We can get through the design phase and get into the right of way phase using the money we have right now on this project.”

“It is continuing to be a top priority for Prince William County,” Nohe assured. “We’ve got enough money to get us through the next several years of this project and I believe this continues to be our top priority for major congestion.”