City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2012
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RASHAD M. YOUNG, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Public Hearing and Request for Council to Support a Resolution Supporting the Design and Construction of the Northbound I-395 Auxiliary Lane Between Duke Street and Seminary Road [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has requested that City Council approve a resolution supporting the design and construction of the northbound I-395 auxiliary lane between Duke Street and Seminary Road.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council (1) hold a public hearing on September 15, (2) at the public hearing to consider approval of a resolution supporting the design and construction of the I-395 auxiliary lane between Duke Street and Seminary Road, and (3) communicate the results of the public hearing to VDOT.
BACKGROUND: VDOT is proposing to construct an auxiliary lane on northbound I-395 between the Duke Street on-ramp and the Seminary Road off-ramp. The additional capacity provided by the northbound auxiliary lane would increase throughput north of Duke Street, reduce travel times and increase speeds on I-395. It is proposed that Council hold a public hearing prior to consideration of adopting a resolution, as well as transmit the results of the public hearing to VDOT.
DISCUSSION: The Auxiliary Lane on Northbound I-395 linking the On-Ramp at Duke Street with the Seminary Road Off-Ramp is being proposed to help improve traffic operations with the forecast demand for this section of the roadway. This project is a separate and distinct environmental review process from the HOT lanes and, or the HOV Transit Ramp. As a regional project, VDOT has requested the City's support. However, the project may proceed without the support of individual jurisdictions. The demand on this section of the General Purpose (GP) lanes of I-395 is expected to increase due to the construction of the I-95/I-395 Express Lanes which terminate near the Duke Street interchange. The environmental work for the auxiliary lane has not been completed. While the construction of this lane would require the removal of existing volunteer trees and may require the construction of sound walls, the analysis indicates that throughput north of Duke Street would be increased, travel times would be reduced, speeds would increase and queues on I-395 would be reduced. Without the auxiliary lane, the congestion on I-395 would force some of the drivers to utilize parallel roads such as Duke, Beauregard Street and Van Dorn Street. Because of the positive impacts on I-395 operations and the positive impacts on City streets such as Duke, Van Dorn Street and Beauregard Street, the auxiliary lane is recommended to be supported.
FISCAL IMPACT: The I-395 Northbound Auxiliary Lane is being built and financed by the Virginia Department of Transportation. The implementation of this improvement project has no fiscal impact on the City.
ATTACHMENT: Resolution Endorsing the Design and Construction of an Auxiliary Lane on
Northbound I-395 Linking the On-Ramp at Duke Street with the Seminary
Road Off-Ramp
STAFF:
Bruce Johnson, Chief of Staff
Mark Jinks, Deputy City Manager
Richard J Baier, P.E., LEED AP, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services
Abi Lerner, P.E., Deputy Director, Transportation and Environmental Services
Antonio J. Baxter, Division Chief, Transportation and Environmental Services