There's no such thing as rush hour on northern Virginia's busiest roadway.
Traffic clogs Interstate 66 all day long, so state transportation officials are hoping to do something about it. They're considering opening the shoulder lanes more often, the Washington Examiner reported. Currently, the lanes are open during rush hour, but traffic is just as bad during off-peak hours.
Another idea is a new signage system that warns drivers of backups. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, the project could cost around $8 million.
"You can't do much in transportation for $8 million, and this is a chance to significantly improve I-66 while we try to move forward with a long-term solution," Supervisor Pat Herrity, R-Springfield told the Washington Examiner.
The long-term solutions include a new rail line and high-occupancy toll lanes. Depending on funding, VDOT officials could open I-66's shoulder lanes during off-peak hours within the next two years.
