Major Activities Affecting Fairfax County in 2005-2006
Pre-construction utility relocation work and design refinements are progressing at and around the Interstate 95/Telegraph Road Interchange. Building safely and efficiently, while maintaining local neighbors’ quality of life, will continue to be a central focus for the project.
Utility Relocation Work
Utilities will continue to be relocated and underground duct banks will be constructed until late fall 2006 for future underground installation of power and telephone lines.
During fall 2006 and spring 2007, Dominion Virginia Power Company will relocate transmission towers and overhead lines along Telegraph Road at Huntington Avenue, North Kings Highway and Lenore Lane.
Other utility work will include installation of sewer and water lines, which requires clearing of trees and vegetation.
Temporary Traffic Changes
Temporary road/lane closures and detours will occur until late fall 2006 to accommodate the utility relocation work.
Removal of Buildings
By the end of 2005, ten vacant buildings (located near the intersection at Telegraph Road and Huntington Avenue) will be removed to make room for construction.
Ground Improvement Completion
Soil strengthening work north and south of the Beltway, between Route 1 and Telegraph Road, will be completed in spring 2006, with soil monitoring continuing through construction.
Construction of Parking Garage
Beginning in summer 2006, temporary replacement parking and a permanent parking garage will be built at the Holiday Inn Hotel on Eisenhower Avenue. The current lot is being removed for construction of a ramp providing direct access from northbound Telegraph Road and the Beltway Outer Loop to Eisenhower Avenue.
Respecting Neighbors and Commuters
The project continues to implement the following community and commuter sensitive efforts:
Construction Hours and Noise Control
Although most construction activities occur during daylight hours, certain operations will occur during evening and/or early morning hours, after prior consultation with local officials, in order to minimize traffic congestion and meet weather and safety requirements. In the event that after-daylight working hours may exceed specified noise thresholds, special permits are required and contractors must use reasonable means to reduce the noise. To track compliance, an independent noise inspector would monitor project-related noise and report results to the project and County staff.
Neighborhood Outreach
Construction preview meetings will be held with communities particularly affected by construction activities to explain details, schedule, traffic operations and other pertinent issues.
Commitment to the Environment
Full-time, on-site construction inspectors evaluate construction on a daily basis to ensure protection of the natural environment through ongoing monitoring of contractors’ compliance with federal, state and local guidelines and permits.
To compensate for unavoidable impacts to environmental resources in the path of the project, $50 million worth of environmental mitigation programs are being implemented. Within the Fairfax County/City of Alexandria area, there are seven environmental mitigation projects completed or underway including:
Two wetland mitigation sites along a tributary to Cameron Run, located near Route 1 (behind the Hampton Inn Hotel) – completed in 2004.
One wetland mitigation site located near the Hunting Terrace apartment buildings adjacent to Hunting Creek – completed in 2003.
One wetland mitigation site near the Ourisman Dodge property adjacent to Cameron Run.
One wetland mitigation site at the confluence of Taylor and Cameron Runs, near the Telegraph Road Interchange.
One wetland mitigation site near the Hunting Towers apartment buildings along the Potomac River shoreline.
Stormwater management and stream restoration between Burgundy Road and Elmwood Drive to the south and east of the Telegraph Road Interchange.
Commuter-Considerate Practices
Daily coordination with all project contractors to ensure that traffic-affecting work is timed and sequenced to exert minimal impact on travelers.
Reduced speed limit of 50 mph throughout entire 7.5-mile project corridor to maintain a safe work zone for drivers.
Quick clearing of traffic-clogging incidents through increased presence of state police and motorist assistance patrols.
Coordination with state and local police to monitor traffic conditions and make refinements as necessary.
Improved signage and lane markings to help commuters anticipate traffic changes.
Real-time traffic information through highway message signs and highway advisory radio (1620 AM).
I-95/Telegraph Road Interchange Design Change
Improving the I-95/Telegraph Road Interchange has been part of the Wilson Bridge Project for many years. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) now is proposing to further boost traffic efficiency and pedestrian safety with a new design that separates the grade of Huntington Avenue and North Kings Highway at Telegraph Road. Rather than requiring motorists to stop at traffic signals, access from the Beltway Outer Loop and southbound Telegraph Road to Huntington Avenue and North Kings Highway would be provided by overhead ramps. In-depth traffic modeling shows the design change would substantially improve traffic flow, while reducing conflicts with pedestrians. The new design concept currently is being carefully evaluated and analyzed, and public input is sought.
Traffic Improvements
On a scale ranging from A to F (A being the best and F being the worst), traffic conditions at the Telegraph Road Intersections at Huntington Avenue and North Kings Highway are expected to improve as follows:
Cost estimate
Initial estimates indicate the total cost of improvements for the I-95/Telegraph Road Interchange, including the grade-separated design, would be approximately $150 to $170 million. This estimate is $20 million more than the at-grade design because it involves building elevated ramps and more embankments, sound walls and lighting, and acquiring additional right of way.
Environmental Impacts
With the new design remaining in the footprint of the original area, additional environmental impacts are not anticipated with the grade-separated design. Early environmental analysis of the new design does not indicate an increase in flood plain, stream or wetland impacts. As the design is refined, potential noise and lighting effects will be carefully studied.
Pedestrian Improvements
The grade-separated design would provide the following pedestrian enhancements:
A pedestrian walkway from the north side of East Drive, across Telegraph Road, to the north side of Lenore Lane.
A sidewalk from the north side of Lenore Lane to North Kings Highway, leading to a multi-use pedestrian trail on the east side of Telegraph Road from North Kings Highway to Huntington Avenue and across to Eisenhower Avenue.
Property Impacts
The grade-separated design is anticipated to need additional right-of-way than the at-grade design. At this early stage, it is expected that two additional commercial properties would be affected. VDOT would work directly with these property owners, as well as any others who may be affected in the future.
