Capital Beltway Study

Other Studies | South Side Mobility Study

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT), Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) along with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) are conducting a joint mobility study for the section of I-95/I-495 / Capital Beltway from the Springfield Interchange in Virginia to MD 5 (Branch Avenue) in Maryland. The study is approximately 14 miles long and it includes two phases of work. The entire study was completed in Winter 2009.

There are two purposes for the Capital Beltway South Side Mobility Study.

1. There are many different projects that are under construction or being considered within the study limits including the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Springfield Interchange, VDOT's High Occupancy Toll ( HOT ) lane project west and north of the Springfield Interchange, and Maryland's Express Toll Lane project. This Mobility Study will examine how the lanes will connect among these various projects to ensure drivers have a smooth transition while traveling along I-95 and I-495 / Capital Beltway.
   
   
2. When the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project was approved by the Federal Highway Administration in 2000, Maryland and Virginia agreed to the following major condition prior to opening all 12 lanes across the bridge: the median lanes (left-most lane in each direction) can only be operated as HOV or transit lanes. Additionally, the lanes can only be opened when the connecting systems are in place on both sides of the Potomac River . Consequently, this Mobility Study will examine what mode of transportation would be the most beneficial to operate on the two median lanes of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (heavy rail, light rail, bus, HOT / HOV ). These lanes will be used only for incident management and maintenance of traffic until they are opened permanently.
   

 

Phase 1

Phase 1 of the Mobility Study was completed in Fall 2006. The Phase 1 efforts involved collecting all available existing literature, analyses, studies, designs and reports completed on transportation improvements in the general vicinity of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project in Virginia , Maryland and Washington DC . An interactive map was created to present the information on previous studies in a graphical format. The Phase 1 report and interactive map can be found at www.southsidecapitalbeltway.org.

Phase 2

Phase 2 was completed in Winter 2009. The following points summarize the study work to date:

1. Phase 2 of the study identified mode characteristics, highlights and challenges. The mode scenarios considered include Incident Management/Maintenance of Traffic; Bus Lane Only; HOV; Priced Lanes; Bus Rapid Transit; Light Rail and Heavy Rail.
   
   
2. A market analysis based on Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s (MWCOG) latest modal is currently underway. Market analysis is a useful step in determining further planning which will be necessary to define the medium and long-term use of the median lanes.
   
   
3. The market analysis will provide descriptions of trips across the Bridge and how compatible they would be with different types of transportation improvements and the analysis would help in defining the next steps. The study is expected to be completed by Fall 2008. Further planning will be needed to define the medium and long-term use of the median lanes. It should be noted that the market analysis not a detailed FTA New Starts evaluation; it is an informal evaluation intended merely to provide preliminary data in case a NEPA level study is initiated late

In support of VDOT and SHA, the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the Maryland Transit Administration ( MTA ) will coordinate and lead the transit components of the South Side Mobility Study to ensure appropriate consideration is given to the transit alternatives.