Seminary Road Complete Streets Project and I-395 Express Lanes

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

Webpage Posted on Potential Changes to Seminary Road / I-395 Express Lanes Interchange, Work Paused on Seminary Road Complete Streets Project

 

In October 2018, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) notified the City that Transurban, the I-395 Express Lanes concessionaire, is proposing to evaluate the current use of the Seminary Road high-occupant vehicle-only ramp and to consider potential operational changes at the ramp for express lane/high-occupancy toll traffic. The City has posted a web page with information and resources about this potential change. The City Manager also provided a memorandum to the Mayor and City Council describing the background and City position on this potential change.

City staff is coordinating with Transurban and VDOT on an analysis (to be conducted by Transurban) of the forecasted traffic changes that could occur from the proposed change. There is not yet a timeline for completing this analysis.

This new information prompted city staff to pause work on the Seminary Road Complete Streets project. As soon as the Complete Streets project team has a reliable forecast of how a potential change in the off-ramp operation could impact Seminary Road traffic, the project team will conduct a revised traffic analysis of the conceptual alternatives. Project work will restart as soon as more information is known about the potential future impacts of the contemplated changes.

Seminary Road is a key corridor in the City of Alexandria’s transportation network. The Vision Zero Action Plan, Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, and Safe Routes to School Plan Program recommendations, and all identify potential safety and mobility improvements for Seminary Road. The City's Complete Streets Policy recommends that staff use repaving as an opportunity to consider and incorporate changes to enhance the safety and convenience of all users. 

For more information, contact Darren Buck, Complete Streets Program Manager darren.buck@alexandriava.gov.

DO YOU HAVE 30 MINUTES A WEEK TO CHANGE A CHILD’S LIFE?

Consider tutoring with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium! Volunteers work with kindergarten or first grade students once or twice a week from now until May. ATC provides training, materials, and support. ATC needs tutors at the following elementary schools on Alexandria’s West End: John Adams, William Ramsay, James Polk, Samuel Tucker, and Patrick Henry. For more information, go to https://alexandriatutors.org/, call 703-549-6670, ext. 119, or write ljacobs@opmh.orgmailto:ljacobs@opmh.org

November 6 Election Day Checklist for City of Alexandria Voters

On Tuesday, November 6, there will be a statewide General Election in Virginia. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Here are six ways Alexandria voters can prepare for Election Day.

1. Consider Absentee Voting

Don't let a long commute, business trip, vacation, disability or illness put your right to vote at risk. Your absentee ballot will be counted after polls close on Election Day and included in the results reported that night.

The deadline to vote in-person absentee is Saturday, November 3, at 5 p.m. There will be two absentee voting locations open in Alexandria from Thursday, November 1, to Saturday.

Office of Voter Registration & Elections, 132 North Royal Street, Suite 100:

• Thursday, November 1, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday, November 2, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, November 3, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Beatley Library, 5005 Duke Street:

• Thursday, November 1, from 1 to 8 p.m.
• Friday, November 2, from 1 to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, November 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2. Find Your Polling Place

On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling place, so please confirm its location (and your registration) at vote.elections.virginia.gov before you go. You may also call the Voter Registration Office at 703.746.4050 or view the City's current precinct map.

3. Know What's on Your Ballot

Before Election Day, review the sample ballot for your precinct at alexandriava.gov/Elections to help you make informed choices at the voting booth. In Alexandria, the November 6 ballot includes:

• U.S. Senate
• U.S. House of Representatives
• Alexandria Mayor
• Alexandria City Council
• Alexandria School Board
• Two proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution

If you are not sure which School Board District you live in, view the list of Precincts and Voting Districts. Also, be aware that political party identification does not appear on the ballot for local offices (for example, Mayor and City Council).

4. Bring Your Valid Photo ID

Virginia voters must show photo identification (ID) when voting in person.  Examples of acceptable ID include a Virginia Driver's License, U.S. Passport, Military ID, employee photo ID or student photo ID. You can review the complete list of acceptable identification at the Virginia Department of Elections website.

• Voters who do not have acceptable ID may receive a free Voter Photo ID from Alexandria's Voter Registration Office. The office is open Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Voters who do not bring a photo ID when voting may still vote a provisional ballot and have until noon on Friday, November 9, to deliver a copy of their photo ID to the Voter Registration Office or appear in-person to apply for a free Voter Photo ID Card.

5. Don't Be Late

If you are planning to vote late in the day or after work, please remember that you must be in line at your polling place by 7 p.m. or you will not be able to vote.

• Traffic and parking around poll locations may be very busy, especially during peak commuter hours. If possible, avoid the lines and vote mid-day.
• If you are using public transportation, the Metro Trip Planner provides itineraries for trips on Metrorail, Metrobus, and DASH systems, including fare information and travel times.
• Check with area transportation providers to see if they are offering Election Day specials. For example, some ridesharing companies have announced discounts on rides to the polls.

6. View the Unofficial Results

After the polls close on Election Night, Alexandria election officials will begin posting unofficial results on the Virginia Department of Elections website. These results will show the total number of votes cast for each candidate and questions listed on the ballot.

During the weeks following the election, state and local Electoral Boards will canvass the results, make any necessary adjustments, and certify the official results.

For more information, contact Anna Leider, General Registrar, at anna.leider@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4050.