NEWS & EVENTS
Read about what’s happening in today’s news that affects your daily commute. We’ve consolidated a collection of the latest articles about transportation and commuter related trends and challenges faced by Washington area commuters. Be sure to check back on a regular basis to keep tabs on the most up to date news.
Visit our construction projects section and learn about upcoming road improvements taking place around the Washington region. Anticipate roadwork delays and avoid the snarls to stay ahead of the construction curve.
Find out about upcoming events that pertain to commuting in the Washington metropolitan region and read recent Commuter Connections press releases.
- Paving on part of Capital Beltway in Md. to start week of April 23
- Major road work for section of GW Parkway begins next week
- Guardrails installed on US-15 in Frederick after deadly tanker fire
- Week-long work zone on US-50 in Maryland could hamper commuters
- GW Parkway construction near entering next phase, which will shut down southbound lanes
- Work zones to affect traffic on the Beltway and Chain Bridge Road
- Construction to begin on pedestrian bridge that collapsed on DC-295
- Part of Columbia Pike near Arlington National Cemetery to close starting Monday
- Metro reopens entrance at L’Enfant Plaza Station after monthslong construction
- Route 29 widening construction in Fairfax Co. to start this spring
- After delays, Potomac Yard Metro station in Alexandria set to open in May
- Park Service to begin work on dedicated bicycle, pedestrian lanes at East Potomac Park
- Crews work to repair another broken main on Germantown’s Clopper Road
- Another stretch of I-66 Express Lanes opening this month
- When all lanes of the Roosevelt Bridge might finally reopen after emergency work
- Bicycle safety improvements begin on Old Georgetown Road
- Construction underway on Rosslyn Tunnel
- Opening of Potomac Yard Metro station pushed to next year; track work to stretch into November
- Construction aims to smooth car, bike travel through Boundary Channel Drive maze
- Construction aims to smooth car, bike travel through Boundary Channel Drive maze
- Bike, pedestrian bridge over Potomac gets $20 million boost; Warner trains focus on rail bridge
- Construction underway on Rosslyn Tunnel
- After 2 years in low gear, work resumes on Purple Line in Montgomery, Pr. George’s
- 5 Metro Orange Line stations reopen after upgrades
- Western section of new I-66 Express Lanes to open ahead of schedule
- I-66 East and West Travel Lanes Between Route 286 (Fairfax County Parkway) and Route 50 to Shift to New Roadway Configuration Beginning on or about Saturday, September 24
- Ground broken to rehabilitate GW Parkway; work will impact commutes
- Bicyclists and hikers will get new place to ride in Frederick
- Hogan, Ball and Kittleman mark completion of Md. 32 widening and safety project
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I-66 East Ramps to Route 50 East and West Changing on or about August 30
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New Flyover Ramp from I-495 North to I-66 West to Open on or about Thursday morning, August 25
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Extended Left Lane Closure on I-66 East in Vienna Area Between Cedar Lane and I-495 Planned
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Lane closures coming to busy stretch of I-495 in Va. for construction project
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Metro projects in Northern Va. to prompt temporary station closures this fall
2023 Press Releases
- Gearing Up: DC area Bike to Work Day 2023 when thousands will participate in free, eco-friendly annual event
- Just one week away but Bike to Work Day 2023 Registration is still Open. Join the Fun
- Ready to Roll: Bike to Work Day 2023 Registration Now Open
2022 Press Releases
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Survey highlights telework explosion' and other regional commuting trends since pandemic onset
- Car Free Day 2022 Registration Opens: Take Your Foot off the Gas and Take the Pledge to go Car Free
- Commuter Connections awards employers for innovation and excellence in commuter benefits programs
- Commuter Connections offers relief from high gas prices
2021 Press Releases
- Take Your Foot off the Gas and Take the Free Pledge: Car Free Day 2021 Registration Open!
- Commuter Connections honors employers for excellence and innovation in commute alternative programs
- Bike to Work Day is Back in 2021
- Early registration for Bike to Work Day 2021 is now open
2020 Press Releases
- Pledge to go car free on September 22 by telewoTake Your Foot off the Gas and Take the Free Pledge: Car Free Day 2021 Registration Open!rking, biking, walking, and more
- Commuter Connections recognizes three employers for excellence in commute alternative programs
- Commuter Connections offers new resources for area employees during transition back to the workplace
2019 Press Releases
- Commuters are driving alone less, taking transit and teleworking more
- Commuter Connections and American Lung Association urge drivers to go car-free on September 22, 2017
- Commuter Connections and University of Maryland launch incenTrip app
- Drop your keys for Car Free Days—Take the free pledge today!
- Commuter Connections recognizes employers for making commuting easy
- Bigger and better: 18,000 turn out for Bike to Work Day
- Commuter Connections helps commuters during Metro shutdown
- D.C. region gears up for a record-breaking Bike to Work Day
- Looking Ahead to Summer (Mentions Bike to Work Day)
- Annual Bike to Work Day Planned for May 17
- Save Some Cash on Commuting: Register for Bike to Work Day!
- Registration for Bike to Work Day is open
2018 Press Releases
- New Commuter Connections Bicycle Route Finder makes cycling in D.C. region easier
- Don’t miss out on great Car Free Day prizes
- Commute to a healthier lifestyle on Car Free Days, September 21 and 22
- Drop Your Car Keys for a Day or Two! Take the Pledge to Go Car Free on September 21 and 22
- Commuter Connections honors employers for commitment to better commutes
- Despite rainy weather, thousands of commuters participate in Bike to Work Day
- Bike to Work Day Press Release: Pedal to help Metro DC Win ‘Nation’s Fittest Region’
- Celebrate spring by registering for Bike to Work Day 2018
2017 Press Releases
- New Rewards Program Gives Commuters Information to Avoid Traffic Delays and Congestion
- More than 7,000 have already pledged to go car-free on September 22 09-20-2017
- More than 3,000 Take the Car Free Day Pledge for September 22; Join Them and Win Great Prizes!
- Commuter Connections and American Lung Association Urge Drivers to go Car-Free on September 22, 2017
- Area employers recognized for innovative and sustainable commuter programs 06-22-2017
- Bike to Work Day Breaks Records in Metropolitan Washington 05-22-2017
- 85 Pit Stops Around Metropolitan Washington Gear Up to Host Thousands of Area Bike to Work Day Participants 05-18-2017
- Bike to Work Day Plans Support for First-Time Bicycle Commuters 05-05-2017
- Registration Opens for Bike to Work Day 2017 03-20-2017
- Commuter Connections Provides Area Commuters with Options for Navigating Metro’s SafeTrack and Winter Weather 01-26-2017
2016 Press Releases
- Commuters Can Carpool On-Demand and for Free with CommuterConnections’ CarpoolNow App
- Four Ways Commuting in the DC Region Has Changed Over the Last Three Years 9-21-2016
- Regional Businesses, Transit Agencies Support Upcoming Car Free Day, Sept. 22 9-19-2016
- Car Free Day Registration Opens – Metropolitan Washington Gets Ready to Green the Commute on September 22 8-30-2016
- Employers Receive Awards for Outstanding Commute Alternative Programs 6-27-2016
- Bike to Work Day Participants Gather at More Than 80 Pit Stops in the Region, Take to the Streets for Cleaner, Greener Commutes 5-20-2016
- Area Officials and Dignitaries to Celebrate Bike To Work Day Friday, May 20
- Metro D.C.’S Bike To Work Day Expands Its Reach
- Following Metrorail Repair Plan Announcement, COG Encourages Residents to Visit Commuter Connections for Commuter Info
- Registration Now Open for D.C. Region’s 16th Annual Bike to Work Day March 16 3-16-2016
- Normal service resumes on Blue Line following Metro equipment derailment
- What Old Georgetown Road’s new bike, pedestrian lanes mean for safety
- DC ranked as 4th safest city in US to drive in
- After month's long closure, Metro’s Yellow Line scheduled to reopen next month
- Where DC, Maryland and Virginia rank for distracted driving
- What’s behind a rise in gas prices in the DC area?
- DC leaders say they’re close to goal of improving all poor quality roads
- Want a free e-scooter lesson? Montgomery Co. is offering them
- Maryland State Police steps up efforts to stop distracted drivers
- Virginia updates its Move Over Law to protect motorists in disabled vehicles
- Traffic not so ‘cheery’ as cherry blossom visitors get stuck for hours
- Metro Transit Police’s body camera program to start in April
- New ‘saloon door’ fare gates coming to Metro stations to prevent fare evaders
- With ridership up, Metro adds more rail service at busy stations
- Nearly 3 miles of lights are out above I-495, WTOP finds out why
- New signs, gates on Bay Bridge to give drivers earlier warning of lane closures
- No more digging for change: Dulles Toll Road goes cashless
- Red Line service increasing on Metro’s busiest days of the week
- OmniRide operators strike, causing major disruptions for users
- Report: Spike in crashes, traffic deaths in DC region with lifting of COVID restrictions
- In partnership with Metro, DC police to start patrols at several stations
- High speeds, distracted driving cited in increased deadly crashes in Fairfax County
- 'Slugging' culture in D.C. region threatened by commuting shifts
- Montgomery Co. increasing Ride On bus service on several routes
- Metro planning Orange, Green Line summer shutdowns for maintenance — again
- DC renews permits for most e-scooter companies
- Metro hinting at shorter wait times as 7000-series cars inspections become less frequent
- MARC train service restored following technical issues
- DC’s two streets where you’re most likely to get a ticket
- Metro says it won’t cut service after all, following dispute with safety watchdog over training
- Just how much does sitting in DC traffic cost you?
- US: Remote Work Flipped the Commuting Script. Now Transit Must Adapt
- Waiting for a Metrobus that never shows? Not after recent upgrades
- More than 2 dozen Metrobus routes see schedule improvements
- 1 Arlington Blvd. pedestrian bridge closed after failed inspection
- Speed cameras to go up near some Fairfax County schools
- After crashes, breakdowns, experts says it’s ‘safest to remain inside of your vehicle’
- Commuters in Fredericksburg warned of heavy traffic on I-95 northbound this week
- Metro’s Red Line will see increased service starting Monday
- 10 worst areas for traffic jams in the DC region
- Md. man fought his $100 DC speeding ticket. Now it’s easier for others to challenge theirs
- Deadline extended to pay unpaid video tolls in Md. without late fees
- Time is running out for Md. drivers with unpaid tolls to save money
- I-66 toll lanes will change from HOV2 to HOV3 starting next month
- Virginia’s new westbound I-66 lanes are open for drivers
- Fall safety tips for pedestrians, drivers, cyclists as daylight wanes
- Rates on Dulles Toll Road to increase in January
- FAQ: Metro’s Silver Line extension opens
- Long-awaited Silver Line extension opens in Fairfax, Loudoun
- Loudoun adjusting to 'new normal' of bus ridership
- How Metrorail service is expected to improve
- Upper Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park to remain closed to vehicles year-round
- Metro starts cracking down on fare evasion
- Metro announces opening date for Silver Line extension
- More than 40% of DC area workforce teleworks on a typical day, report shows
- Md. 210 continues to see aggressive speeders, deaths
- Alexandria council OKs speed cameras in school zones
- How the pandemic has shaped commuting in the D.C. area
- Telecommuting helps ease congestion; solo driving doesn't
- More commuters working remotely, but also driving alone, survey findsRegion's employees opting to work remotely instead of going into work
- Overcrowding a concern on Metro system still hobbled by sidelined railcars
- Metro’s performance report: Ridership rising; crime, customer satisfaction slumping
- With more people working from home, is traffic getting better in the DC area?
- Metro to begin cracking down on fare evaders with hefty fines
- Window closing for Maryland drivers with unpaid video tolls to avoid penalties
- Expansion of Maryland ‘move over’ law to start Saturday
- Is it worth it to you? What drivers are paying on new I-66 Express Lanes
- Region's employees opting to work remotely instead of going into work
- Expansion of Maryland ‘move over’ law to start Saturday
- Window closing for Maryland drivers with unpaid video tolls to avoid penalties
- Fairfax Co. wants your input on rapid bus line station names
- More commuters working remotely, but also driving alone, survey finds
- Metro to begin cracking down on fare evaders with hefty fines
- Telecommuting helps ease congestion; solo driving doesn't
- With more people working from home, is traffic getting better in the DC area?
- Metro’s performance report: Ridership rising; crime, customer satisfaction slumping
- Tolls, HOV rules begin on new 66 Express Lanes
- Metro plans to ‘work differently’ when it comes to keeping passengers safe
- DC’s AG says guns should remain banned on Metro
- Under new bill, D.C.’s traffic cameras would dole out points as well as fines
- E-scooter rules in Montgomery Co. establish age and parking requirements
- DC Council votes to ban ‘right turns on red’
- Safety official: A person or vehicle is hit by a train every 3 hours, half by drivers dodging gates
- A commuter’s guide to using Virginia’s new 66 Express Lanes
- Arlington County is latest to reduce some speed limits
- VRE commuters relieved by news of rail deal
- Impact of possible railroad labor unions strike on MARC, VRE, Amtrak riders
- Traffic pattern changes along Alexandria’s Duke Street
- Virginia Metro stations closed south of airport
- Changing commuting habits doesn't mean traffic is getting better in the DMV
- Survey: DC-area commuting trends show telework ‘explosion,’ major drop in transit use
- Telecommuting Continues Popularity, as do Solo Drives to Work
- Transit use tanks among D.C.-area commuters
- Offices have reopened. Persuading commuters to fill them isn’t so simple
- Metro to change names of 5 stations starting Sept. 11
- Microtransit Program
- Commuter apps trying to cut emissions, boost equity, get federal funding
- Metro to increase frequency of trains, starting Sept. 12
- More 7000-series cars to return to Metro’s rails later this month
- Gas prices continue on the longest downward trend since 2018
- Annual cost of owning a new vehicle crosses $10K mark
- HOV restriction on 395 Express Lanes on Seminary Road to lift in September
- Major changes coming soon for Yellow, Blue line Metro riders
- Reston Town Center plans privately funded shuttle
- Changes coming to Fairfax Connector, OmniRide bus service in Northern Va.
- Fairfax County wants residents’ input on designs of future bus stations along Richmond Highway
- EXPLAINER: How is inflation affecting commuting costs?
- New Carrollton Metro station getting a facelift — just like the land around it
- Tips for driving during excessive rainfall
- HOV privileges will end soon in Md. for drivers of electric vehicles
- Tips for saving on your commute amid high inflation
- Sterling Company Awarded for Employee Vanpool Program
- Montgomery Co.’s Ride On bus to start taking fares again Aug. 1
- VRE to go fare-free in September amid Metro Blue and Yellow Line shutdown
- ‘It’s the law’: Motorists should slow down, move over to protect people on the roadside
- A dangerous stretch of I-395 is the scene of dozens of crashes, near misses and stalled drivers
- Gas prices down in DC area: Will it last?
- In auto-centric Montgomery, planners suggest ways to make walking safer
- How to get around this fall’s Blue, Yellow Metro line construction
- Metro returning some 7000-series cars to tracks Thursday
- Heads up, commuters: New data shows the worst days to drive in the DMV
- Variable speed limits on northbound I-95 in Virginia start Thursday
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West side stops at Rockville Metrorail Station temporarily closed, relocated
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Multiple Metrobus routes set to resume pre-COVID service levels
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Metro plans to bring small group of 7000-series cars back this summer
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Trucks and SUVs are getting bigger, D.C. wants owners to pay extra
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DC drivers could soon pay a lot more to register big trucks, SUVs
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Oversight board OKs Metro plan for 7000 series train cars’ return
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Green, Yellow line service to improve after delays caused by lapsed recertifications
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Metro’s plan to return 7000-series rail cars to service gets green light
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Md. law ensures drivers don’t get slammed with penalties over tolls
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DC expands Neighborhood Connect shuttle service in Northeast and Northwest
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Will Seven Corners ‘ring road’ untangle commuter chaos in this lifetime?
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DC Circulator drivers vote to ratify new contract, ending strike
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Fredericksburg 95 Express Lanes extension to open December 2023
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Immigrant Community Of Falls Church Call For Pedestrian Safety On Leesburg Pike
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As workers return to the office, experts see early signs of more driving
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Metro increases patrols, K-9 sweeps after New York subway shooting
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2nd time this week: Metal causes flat tires for DC region interstate drivers
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Fairfax Co. OKs $1 surcharge for taxis amid spiking gas prices
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Loudoun Co. seeks flexibility in return of commuter bus service amid COVID recovery
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Slow down, buckle up: Virginia hit 14-year high for traffic fatalities in 2021
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Metro, Ride On, TSA drop mask requirement following judge’s order voiding mandate
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Mask mandate lifted on public transportation in Prince George’s Co.
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DC-area traffic reaches 95% of pre-pandemic level as Metro ridership lags at 29%
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‘Extreme disappointment’ — Metro revises plan to bring back 7000 Series cars; Silver Line delayed
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It’s not your imagination, there are more drivers on the road in the DC area
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How toll money paid to the I-395 Express Lanes gets used elsewhere
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State of the Union street closures in effect; drivers warned of heavy congestion in downtown DC
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Guaranteed Ride Home program offers free rides to Frederick County residents
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Drivers get grace period to pay back millions in back-tolls to Maryland
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Maryland to implement text messaging system for drivers stuck in storms
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‘Live Shatter on Impact’ exhibit in Prince George’s Co. aims to put voices to traffic deaths
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Alexandria issuing thousands of refunds after red-light camera programming error
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Accidents near Legion Bridge make for bad commutes along Beltway
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Board chair: Metro will be ready if workers return to offices this spring
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Metro says it hit milestone installing new faregates; old SmarTrip cards being phased out
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No timeline, no plan for getting Metro cars back on the tracks
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Report: Virginia lagging behind on road safety; DC has one of best state highway safety laws
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Bus driver shortage forces reduction in Montgomery Co. Ride On service
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Stuck in a storm? Tips from FEMA on staying safe in your car
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Metro to reduce workforce, bus schedule in response to COVID surge
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Metro safety commission orders 7000 Series cars pulled from service again
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More buses, increased trip frequency comes to Metrobus after Christmas
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Metro pauses return of 7000-series railcars out of ‘an abundance of caution’
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Metrobus riders could see delays, routes canceled because of driver shortage
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Metro returns 1st 7000-series train to service after derailment investigation
- Despite low ridership, supporters say Transitway is a wise investment in the future
Bike to Work Day 2023
Gear up for Bike to Work Day 2023! Join us Friday, May 19 and get started on a healthy routine. Sign up by May 12 for a free T-shirt and your chance to win an e-bike. Please register at Bike to Work 2023, today.
Metro seeks public input on East Falls Church bus loop expansion and pedestrian Improvements
Metro is seeking public input on the proposed bus loop expansion and pedestrian improvements at East Falls Church Station.
The station currently has four bus bays that are operating at maximum capacity. In coordination with Metro, Arlington County seeks to expand the footprint of the existing bus loop, upgrade the existing bus shelters, and add three bus bays with shelters at the station. The project also aims to improve sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, and landscaping within and around the station, including improving the crosswalks between the station entrance and the existing bus loop on North Sycamore Street.
Bus capacity and pedestrian access improvements are necessary to accommodate projected transit ridership growth at the station. East Falls Church Station is the first eastbound station that connects the Silver Line with the Orange Line, making it an important transfer point for rail and bus riders. Feedback from the public on these proposed changes is essential as this project moves forward.
To learn more about the project, visit Arlington County’s website.
How to provide feedback
- Take a survey and provide written comments by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 1.
- Participate in a virtual public hearing on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
- To participate by phone, call 855-925-2801 and enter meeting code 4773.
- To participate via video, preregister by emailing speak@wmata.com by 5 p.m. the day before the Public Hearing.
- Watch or listen to the virtual public hearing live at on our capital and service plans page, on YouTube, or by calling 855-925-2801 and entering meeting code 4773.
Public feedback will be provided to Metro's Board of Directors as part of the final decision-making process.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender, religion, disability, or family status. ASL interpretation will be provided. To request other accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or other language interpretation services (free of charge), contact the Office of the Board Secretary at 202-962-2511 (TTY: 202-962-2033) or send a message to speak@wmata.com as soon as possible, so Metro can make the necessary arrangements before the public hearing date.
VDRPT Will Hold a Virtual Public Meeting July 19, 2022 on the I-495 Southside Transit and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Study
Tuesday, July 19th at 6:30pm
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) invites you to learn about and provide input on its I-495 Southside Transit and TDM study by attending a public information meeting June 19. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the public and organizations to ask questions and offer comments and/or suggestions on the study.
Register now for the upcoming virtual public meeting!
The I-495 Southside Transit and TDM study aims to evaluate existing transportation options and identify future multimodal mobility solutions. The study will consider potential mobility options for travel along I-495 Southside, including— but not limited to—carpool, rideshare, local bus, express bus, bus rapid transit, Metrorail, regional rail, and intercity rail service. The study area extends for 11 miles of I-495 from the Springfield Interchange (I-95/I-395/I-495) in Fairfax County, VA to Maryland Route 210 in Prince George’s County, MD and includes the Metrorail and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) lines between Springfield, VA and Alexandria, VA. This study will help inform the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study that is looking at potentially extending the express lanes system on the southern section of the Capital Beltway.