Mark Center HOV Ramp Delayed 18 Months

The proposed ramp that would connect the HOV lane of I-395 to Seminary Road near the Mark Center may be delayed by 18 months, according to a press release from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has decided to require VDOT to perform an Environmental Assessment (EA) instead of a Categorical Exclusion (CE).

During the of the BRAC-133 Advisory Group, VDOT officials said a CE would be the sufficient level of documentation required to determine the environmental impacts of the proposed ramp.

Officials believe that because the ramp is within the existing right of way on I-395, and because it will encourage carpooling and transit options, an Environmental Assessment is not necessary. The ramp would also have no substantial impacts to natural , recreational, cultural or historic resources, nor would it affect water quality, according to the press release.

By performing a CE, VDOT had planned to complete construction of the ramp by the end of 2014, but the process will be delayed following FHWA’s decision.

Come September, 6,400 Department of Defense employees will be relocating to work at the Mark Center, and VDOT studies show that traffic on Seminary Road, Beauregard Street and I-395 will become considerably worse.