Talk:Interstate 66

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I'm curious if it's worth mentioning any of the problems and unique situations I-66 has within Northern Virginia. Most notable is the fact that it has only two lanes of traffic within the beltway, and that this traffic is highly regulated by HOV and other traffic control measures. I'm told that this solution was adopted as a compromise with Arlington County, whose residents did not desire the road. I haven't done enough research into the matter to know for certain.

Also the road is heavily congested throughout both rush hours, as the only interstate to enter the city from the west, and this has led to all sorts of zaniness locally. For instance, after the intersection with US Route 50 at Fair Oaks, the road drops from 4 lanes to 3 (through the beltway), but there is a 4th "shoulder lane" open only during rush hour. The congestion extends out well past Fairfax into Loudon county, and plans to expand it to at least three lanes as far as route 29 at Gainesville have met with limited success.

Also not mentioned is that Metro's Orange Line bisects the highway from Vienna until it goes underground, somewhere further in.

Is any of this worth mentioning in the article? I can do some research to make sure I'm not making stuff up, but living within hearing distance of the road, I feel like it deserves more discussion than a mere mention of a failed 266 project. The congestion on it is certainly a source of major concern and strife for Northern Virginia residents like myself, and is a major political issue.

Also I'm a bit miffed at the map. It shows Centreville and Oakton, which are respectable locales, but it leaves ot Fairfax and Manassas. As a resident of Vienna, VA, I would also complain about the choice of leaving my hometown out, though it all but overlaps with Oakton.

Contents 1 I-66 disputes 2 I-66 vs US 66 3 I-666 4 East Extension? 5 More Cities in small Map

[edit] I-66 disputes

You're right to believe that the many of the restrictions on I-66 within the beltway are compromises between the state, the FHA, and the residents of Arlington who didn't want this road at all. They originally planned 66 to be an 8 lane highway, splitting into two 6 lane highways (I-66 and I-266) in Arlington around Spout Run. Eventually a compromise was reached in the [ Coleman Agreement | http://www.idea66.com/downloads/Coleman-Decision.pdf ]. The original compromise limited the highway to 4 lanes, excluded trucks from the road at all times, and set the rush hour HOV restriction to 4 passengers cars, buses and people coming and going to Dulles Airport and emergency vehicles, and also mandated construction of the subway line in the median. Most of the Coleman restrictions were eased since then, and in 1999 the Coleman Restrictions of no widening of the highway were removed. [1]. And now the State and the Federal government is trying to alter I-66, though there is still community opposition in Arlington. [2]

[edit] I-66 vs US 66

I-66, if extended, should cross former US 66 near Baxter Springs, Kansas where it is marked a "historic route", it will also come close to the historic road in Missouri which should, by the end of 2005, be designated a scenic byway. Does anyone know, would this cause AASHTO to oppose I-66 being designated through here? Should this be placed in the article? - Rt66lt 04:01, September 5, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] I-666

I don't see that happening anytime soon. Who would want to ride on a highway numbered 666 anyways?
JesseG 23:17, 21 December 2005 (UTC)

I'll be damned if I know! - Paul Robinson (Rfc1394) 21:44, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] East Extension?

I read at the bottom of an article I found here (at the bottom of the page) that Maryland and Delaware may eventually have the route extended to Dover. I added this info before but it got deleted. Anyone know if it can be trusted?-Jeff ^(talk) 04:24, 27 February 2006 (UTC)

Absent a primary source, I'm inclined to discount it. All we have so far is the say-so of one person who is identified only by name, not by title. Doctor Whom 14:27, 27 February 2006 (UTC)

It feels a little speculative yet. Now, if Maryland or Delaware were to have the info on an official site, or a newspapre article were to mention it, etc., then it's worth putting in, IMHO. —C.Fred (talk) 02:53, 28 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] More Cities in small Map

I have restored the map I created for this article more than 2½ years ago that someone (a vandal?) removed. Based on comments here, I have added the (major nearby) cities of Fairfax, Manassas and Warrenton, plus the Town of Vienna to the map. Paul Robinson (Rfc1394) 21:42, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

I've moved the map off to the right-hand side in the major cities section, since it illustrates minor cities and intersections with other interstates. I've bumped the other images down to Notes, though on my screen width, it causes an interaction with the future road template. —C.Fred (talk) 04:45, 17 July 2006 (UTC)