I-66 and Its Current Widening is Eroding the W&OD Trail Along Four Mile Run

February 12, 2019

The Honorable Christian Dorsey, Chairman

The Honorable Libby Garvey, Vice Chair

The Honorable Eric Gutshall, Member

The Honorable Katie Cristol, Member

The Honorable Matt de Ferranti, Member

Arlington County Board

Ellen M. Bozman Government Center

2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 300

Arlington, VA  22201r

            Re:  I-66 Widening Project Impacts on Four Mile Run and the W&OD Trail

Dear Members of the County Board:

            As residents of the Madison Manor Civic Association (MMCA) and members of the Arlington Coalition for Sensible Transportation (ACST), we write today to express our concern about excess stormwater runoff associated with the I-66 Inside the Beltway widening project that is causing serious damage to Four Mile Run, the W&OD Trail, and negatively impacting the community.

            Over the past two years, MMCA has had several meetings with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) regarding the I-66 widening project.  In addition to concerns about noise and increased emissions associated with the project, MMCA, ACST, and a number of residents have expressed concerns about stormwater runoff and the impact on Four Mile Run and other neighborhood facilities.  Specifically, the MMCA and ACST have noted that current VDOT stormwater facilities do not meet current building specifications, are currently underperforming due to inadequate and frequently clogged intake facilities, and will be negatively impacted by the widening project.

            The County Board has also expressed similar concerns to VDOT.  In a January 28, 2017, Board Resolution regarding the I-66 widening project, the Board specifically requested that VDOT ensure that “any new stormwater management facilities proposed with this project be adequately maintained, specifically that erosion and sediment controls should be outlined and contain information on inspection and enforcement actions.”

            Unfortunately, our concerns about damage due to increased runoff have recently manifested themselves in erosion on Four Mile Run that is threatening a portion of the W&OD Trail between Ohio Street and George Mason Drive with imminent collapse.  It is our understanding that the County intends to close a portion of the W&OD Trail on or about February 18, 2019, for an emergency repair project.  While we appreciate the County taking rapid action to fix the Trail, we are concerned about the impact the detour will have on adjoining neighborhoods (and especially children who use the Trail to get to schools) and the fact this appears to be a temporary fix paid for by Arlington taxpayers that will not involve any action by VDOT to prevent the excess runoff that is causing this problem in the first place.

            Accordingly, we urge the County Board to demand that VDOT take immediate action to fix its current underperforming stormwater system along the I-66 corridor and stop the degradation of Four Mile Run, the W&OD Trail, and other Arlington neighborhood assets in the Four Mile Run watershed.

Sincerely,

Dr. Alison Denton

President

Madison Manor Civic Association

Christopher Day

President

Arlington Coalition for Sensible Transportation

cc:  Virginia Department of Transportation