Protect the Custis Trail, Oppose i-66 "Spot" widening

The Virginia Department of Transportation has scheduled a public hearing on the preliminary design for the widening of westbound I-66 through Arlington and Falls Church.

The Hearing will be on Monday evening, October 27, at W&L High School, 1300 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, from 7-9 p.m.

While the project is termed "spot improvements," it in fact involves the addition of a third westbound lane for much of the distance of westbound I-66 from Spout Run almost to the Beltway. In fact, for part of the distance, it adds a *fourth* lane.

For bicyclists there are two major issues: the impact on the Custis Trail, and the fact that the widening will add 50 percent more automobile traffic to the highway at a time when precious financial resources need to be devoted to mass transit, bike lanes and pedestrial facilities. For more details about WABA's position on the I-66 widening click here.

It is important that there be a very large turnout of bicyclists at this meeting. This will be the single most important meeting of this long drawn-out affair. Please try to attend, and encourage your family and friends to join you.

Although VDOT has given verbal assurances that the Custis Trail will not be eliminated by the widening, we all know that the "devil is in the details" and very few details have thus far been revealed. Moreover, VDOT is seeking a Categorical Exclusion from having to do an environmental impact study on the widening.

The widening is opposed not only by WABA and the Arlington Coalition for Sensible Transportation but also by the Arlington County Board.

For more information, contact Peter Harnik at 703-522-5510 or harnik@earthlink.net.

WABA ADVOCACY CALENDAR

Mark your calendars for the following recurring bicycle advocacy meetings. For a bi-weekly update on advocacy activities, sign up for Quick Release, WABA's advocacy email:

Arlington County Bicycle Advisory Committee
First Monday of even-numbered months. Arlington County Govt. Center (#1 Courthouse Plaza), 2100 Clarendon Blvd (Clarendon Metro), ground floor conference room off main lobby.

BikeWalk Alexandria
First Monday of each month, 7:30 to 9:00pm at St Elmo's Coffee Pub, 2300 Mt. Vernon Avenue.
Contact: Jerry King
jjkingconsulting@yahoo.com, 703.684.1688.

Coalition of the Capital Crescent Trail Board Meeting
Second Monday each month, 7-9 pm. Normally at the Bethesda Library, 7000 Arlington Road. Visit www.cctrail.org for more information.

D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council Meeting
First Wednesday of odd-numbered months, 6 - 8:00 pm. Contact D.C. Bicycle Coordinator, Jim Sebastian, for more information, by phone 202.671.2331 or email Jim.Sebastian@dc.gov

Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling
Third Wednesday of each month. 7:30 pm. Call Bruce Wright at 703.328.9619 if you plan to attend. Visit www.fabb-bikes.org for more information

Metropolitan Branch Trail Coalition
Second Thursday of each month, 6:30-8:30 pm. Contact Paul Meijer for more information by phone 202.726.7364 or email meijer@cua.edu.

Montgomery County Bicycle Advisory Committee (MCBAC)
3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, Maryland, 10th floor conference room.

Prince George's County Bicycle & Trails Advisory Group (BTAG)
Meets quarterly. Contact Fred Shaffer for details at Fred.Shaffer@ppd.mncppc.org.

WABA Board Meeting
Second Monday each month, 6:30-8:30 pm. Contact the WABA office for location and agenda by phone 202.518.0524 or email waba@waba.org.