I-495 Outer Loop Between Tysons and I-66 Q/Complaints (design, area)

[Hudlander]

Everytime I drive the Outer Loop from Tysons/MD to I-66...I'm struck by how as the Outer Loop approaches DTR/267...it is awesomely designed with more than enough through lanes, medians, and sightlines to accomodate the weaving traffic.

Just as horribly though is the Outer Loop right after the last Tyson's exit before I-66 (Route 7 I believe).
Just as well done the Outer Loop to DTR/267 was built, the Route 7 to I-66 section is unacceptable.
You have Two lanes from Rt 7 merging with no auxillory/ramp to ramp connection. Instead, the two merging lanes vanish for maybe .5 of mile before we get a 5th lane to assist with traffic exiting to I-66.

This sub-standard design is compounded by having no median space between I-495 local/express. I just do not understand why VDOT did such a half assed measure. I-66 is a huge interchange...it needs to have a very wide Right of Way on the Beltway as the Beltway has just north of DTR/267.
Moreover there is NO REASON WHY Route 7 should merge and the Outer Loop be stuck at just 4 lanes.
There should be 5 if not 6 lanes from Tysons to I-66.

I do not understand, there is clearly enough room to squeeze one more lane, if not two+median space...there is no more obstruction south of Tysons than just north. So my questions:

1) WTF is it this way?
2) Are there ANY plans, maybe with I-66, to improve?
3) Conspiracy theory...I bet they did this DELIBERATELY to create congestion and force people to pay and take the HOT lanes. Either that, or they are lazy/stupid or all the above.

[michgc]

If I remember correctly, the merge with the DTR was not always so great. It was always backed up there. Then a few years ago they added another merge lane, I believe, and it made it much better.

[Hudlander]

Originally Posted by michgc

If I remember correctly, the merge with the DTR was not always so great. It was always backed up there. Then a few years ago they added another merge lane, I believe, and it made it much better.

It also is VERY wide...there is a big median and separation between the HOT and regular lanes...don't understand (other than induced demand for the HOT lanes) why Route 7 to I-66 is not wider.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by Hudlander

Everytime I drive the Outer Loop from Tysons/MD to I-66...I'm struck by how as the Outer Loop approaches DTR/267...it is awesomely designed with more than enough through lanes, medians, and sightlines to accomodate the weaving traffic.

Just as horribly though is the Outer Loop right after the last Tyson's exit before I-66 (Route 7 I believe).
Just as well done the Outer Loop to DTR/267 was built, the Route 7 to I-66 section is unacceptable.
You have Two lanes from Rt 7 merging with no auxillory/ramp to ramp connection. Instead, the two merging lanes vanish for maybe .5 of mile before we get a 5th lane to assist with traffic exiting to I-66.

This sub-standard design is compounded by having no median space between I-495 local/express. I just do not understand why VDOT did such a half assed measure. I-66 is a huge interchange...it needs to have a very wide Right of Way on the Beltway as the Beltway has just north of DTR/267.
Moreover there is NO REASON WHY Route 7 should merge and the Outer Loop be stuck at just 4 lanes.
There should be 5 if not 6 lanes from Tysons to I-66.

I do not understand, there is clearly enough room to squeeze one more lane, if not two+median space...there is no more obstruction south of Tysons than just north. So my questions:

1) WTF is it this way?
2) Are there ANY plans, maybe with I-66, to improve?
3) Conspiracy theory...I bet they did this DELIBERATELY to create congestion and force people to pay and take the HOT lanes. Either that, or they are lazy/stupid or all the above.

On Google maps it looks like one of the lanes from Rt.7 does connect to the exit for 66. Am I misunderstanding you?

[gomason]

Originally Posted by dkf747

On Google maps it looks like one of the lanes from Rt.7 does connect to the exit for 66. Am I misunderstanding you?

Look closely. The on ramp lane from Route 7 just disappears like 30 feet after getting on 495.


I whole heartedly agree with the OP. Every time I drive through this area I think what a disaster it is and how horribly designed it is. Unfortunately, I don't think it's part of any current planned improvements.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by gomason

Look closely. The on ramp lane from Route 7 just disappears like 30 feet after getting on 495.

I don't see that, but I'm trying. https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8920.../data=!3m1!1e3

I guess I'll just have to drive it myself and see.

Edit: Looked again and now I see what you mean. I agree the entrance lane should continue all the way to the exit for 66.

[Hudlander]

There's ample room....I bet Transurban stipulated there be a bottleneck.