Work We're Doing

DRPT is conducting a transit and transportation demand management (TDM) study for Interstate 495 Southside to identify a range of solutions that can be implemented to reduce congestion, improve trip reliability and regional connections, and enhance existing and planned multimodal mobility and connectivity.

The study area extends for 11 miles of I-495, or the Capital Beltway, from the Springfield Interchange (I-95/I-395/I-495) in Fairfax County, Virginia to Maryland Route 210 in Prince George's County, Maryland. It also includes the Metrorail and Virginia Railway Express Lines between Springfield and Alexandria.

This study aims to evaluate existing transportation future mobility solutions. The study will consider potential mobility options for travel along the I-495 Southside, including — but not limited to — carpool, rideshare, local bus, express bus, bus rapid transit, Metrorail, regional rail, and intercity rail service. 

The study will help inform the Environmental Assessment underway by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) through the I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study that is looking at potentially extending the express lanes system on the southern section of the Capital Beltway. DRPT and VDOT are working in close coordination on these two studies.

The Transit and TDM study is conducting in coordination with a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC is comprised of regional transit providers, transportation departments, and municipal and county governments.