I-66 Ramps at Monument Drive and Stringfellow Road Open to Non-HOV Drivers

Northern Virginia is notorious for its bumper-to-bumper traffic. Virginia politicans gathered today to mark efforts designed to ease that congestion.

Rep. Gerry Connolly joined Gov. Bob McDonnell, Rep. Frank Wolf, Sharon Bulova, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chairman, Sean Connaughton, Virginia Transportation secretary, and a host of other state and local elected officials Monday for a ceremony to mark the opening of the westbound ramps off I-66 at Monument Drive and Stringfellow Road to off-peak hours.

Joking that “Success has many fathers… and mothers,” Connolly cited the work of many officials, beginning in 2007, in the effort to open the HOV ramps on I-66 to all traffic during non-rush hour periods. 

Connolly started his efforts to open the ramps in 2007 when he chaired the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, with the support of the entire board and the congressional delegation.  At that time, the Bush administration denied the request.  In May 2010, now-Rep. Connolly wrote to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood again, urging federal officials to approve the opening of the two HOV ramps to all drivers during non-rush hour periods as a means of reducing congestion on the highway. 

One month later, in June, the Fairfax board approved a board matter introduced by Bulova.  In August, Victor Menendez, Federal Highway administrator, responded to Connolly in a letter informing him that the U.S. DOT supported the move and was complying with his request.

“This will have a tangible and positive impact on traffic flow for drivers on westbound I-66 in Fairfax, Prince William, and beyond,” Connolly said.  “Federal, state, and local officials need to continue to work together to look for every opportunity to reduce congestion in Northern Virginia.”

The event was held at the McConnell Public Safety Transportation Operations Center in Fairfax.