Outer-Beltway Projects

Take Action: Stop outer beltway projects in the region by clicking here, or choose one of the projects from "Related Issues" below. Contact your local elected officials and write a letter to the editor (use information below for talking points)

Update: June 2005

Two Outer Beltway projects have reached critical decision-making points. Both the Manassas Battlefield Bypass study and the Tri-County Parkway study threaten to impact Northern Virginia and the entire DC metro region. Public hearings on the projects were held in May 2005. A record of decision is expected by December 2005. Click here for further details.

Last year, a new ICC study restarted and is being fast-tracked in Maryland, a new study has been initiated for the Techway (Potomac bridge crossing). Occasionally the Western Bypass/WTC continues to be discussed by public officials.

The Outer Beltway is the greatest development threat to our region. An Outer Beltway would not serve commuters because few people travel in a loop around the outer edge of the region. In reality, most people commute in and out of the region on radial roads to access jobs in the inner suburbs and in Washington DC.

While an outer beltway will not solve traffic, it is a way for developers to gain access to rural land and make it viable for development.

click here for a map of current Outer Beltway Projects

Several concepts for an Outer Beltway have been floated by speculative developers with an interest in developing the DC region's rural areas in Stafford, Fauquier, Prince William, Loudoun, Montgomery, Frederick and Prince George's Counties. The strategy has been to build the Outer Beltway in segments to reduce public opposition. These segments include: the Techway , ICC , Western Bypass/ Western Transportation Corridor (WTC), Tri-County Parkway and Manassas Battlefield Bypass, and a southern bridge.

This is a costly venture. The development that springs up around the Outer Beltway would need new infrastructure and services, and current residents of the counties would have to pay for it. The impact would be felt regionally as jobs and investment would move to new areas away from DC, Prince George's County, and the inner suburbs, and people would be forced to drive further and further to get to work.

Better solutions to traffic congestion include smarter growth in Loudoun and Prince William Counties to provide some jobs in the area, reduce residential growth and create mixed-use communities with town centers.

More on the Outer Beltway Projects:
Solutions
Contacts
History