A range of alternatives were considered to address the needs of the Capital Beltway. Although these improvements may not solve the traffic congestion problem along the Capital Beltway, they would provide additional mobility and options for motorists. In December 2004, SHA submitted a Draft Alternates Retained for Detailed Study (ARDS) package where they recommended the alternates to carry forward for more detailed study. Transit alternatives that were previously under consideration with the highway alternatives are now being evaluated under a separate study called the Bi-County Transitway.

SHA's is currently recommending 3 alternates be carried forward for more detailed study: (1) the No-Build; (2) 8 General Purpose & 2 Express Toll Lanes; and (3) 6 General Purpose & 4 Express Toll Lanes. The Transportation System Management/Transportation Demand Management (TSM/TDM) will be carried forward as part of the two build alternates.

All of the alternatives include geometric upgrades and adjustments to the 28 interchanges within the study area. The alternatives also include the addition of one lane in each direction for the entire length of the Beltway. Therefore, the proposed typical section of five total lanes per direction would be consistent for the entire study corridor that extends from the American Legion Bridge to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The section between the I-270 spurs could have one or two additional lanes per direction to provide an 8-lane or 10-lane section.

All proposed tolls would be collected using an electronic toll collection (ETC) system. As a result, tollbooths would not be required. SHA is also evaluating how enforcement would be addressed. Enforcement is a critical component of successful Express Toll Lanes. A few options that are under consideration include police enforcement, video enforcement, or self-enforcement.

All alternatives developed would be coordinated with the Virginia Department of Transportation's Capital Beltway Study.