Letter of Support for Proposed I-495 Southside Express Lanes Project
About this Letter of Support:
In a June 26 letter to the Transportation Planning Board, the Greater Washington Board of Trade expressed strong support for the proposed I-495 Southside Express Lanes project, citing its potential to ease congestion, support transit, and strengthen regional competitiveness. The letter highlights the project’s preservation of free lanes, addition of high-occupancy toll lanes, and integration of multimodal infrastructure including express bus service, biking, and pedestrian access. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining right-of-way for future Metrorail expansion and notes that the project delivers critical improvements without new taxes. The Board urged VDOT to move forward, calling the investment essential for economic resilience and mobility in Greater Washington.
Letter of Support:
Chair James Walkinshaw,
On behalf of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, I write to express strong support for the proposed I-495 Southside Express Lanes project, now under review through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.
Founded in 1889, the Board of Trade is the region’s leading non-partisan business organization, representing a broad cross-section of industries, nonprofits, universities, and government agencies across D.C., suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia. We focus on inclusive economic growth, a competitive business climate, and strategic investments in transportation and infrastructure that drive regional vitality and quality of life. That’s why we support proposals like the new express lanes from Springfield across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to I-295 — a forward-thinking, multimodal solution to one of our region’s most critical transportation challenges.
This project will benefit all who live, work, and travel in the corridor. It preserves the existing free lanes while adding high-occupancy toll lanes that are free for transit and carpoolers. It also includes critical investments in transit, biking, and pedestrian access. Notably, it preserves the right-of-way for future Metrorail expansion across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and provides immediate funding for express bus service to build ridership and strengthen future demand.
Most importantly, this solution balances the urgent need for mobility improvements with long-term environmental and equity considerations. Without action, travel times on this segment of the Beltway are projected to double in the coming decades — worsening access to jobs, increasing emissions, and undermining the region’s economic resilience.
This project unlocks billions of dollars in transportation infrastructure investment without raising taxes or diverting funding from other critical regional needs. For our region to remain competitive and connected in a fast-changing economy, that kind of infrastructure investment is not just welcome — it’s essential.
We urge the Virginia Department of Transportation to move forward with the I-495 Southside Express Lanes project and to continue engaging stakeholders throughout implementation. The Board of Trade stands ready to support this effort and work collaboratively with our public and private partners to ensure a more connected, competitive, and sustainable region.
Sincerely,
Jack McDougle
President & CEO
Greater Washington Board of Trade
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