Soapstone Connector Public Information Meeting For Environmental Assessment

SOAPSTONE CONNECTORSOAPSTONE CONNECTOR

Soapstone ConnectorPublic Information Meeting

For Environmental Assessment

June 15, 2016

Presented by:Audra K. Bandy, P.E.

Fairfax County Department of Transportation


Overview

Current Conditions Project History Environmental Reviews Improvement Options Purpose and Need Environmental Considerations Schedule and Next Steps Q&A


Current Conditions

Major roadways in area include Wiehle Avenue, Sunset Hills Road and Sunrise Valley Drive.

Two crossings of Dulles Corridor on either side of Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station.

Vehicles traveling to and from Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station and entering and leaving the Dulles Corridor compete for same road space on Wiehle Avenue.


Project History

2008 Wiehle Avenue/Reston Parkway Station Access Management Plans Final Report, April 2008– Soapstone Connector was included in list of recommended roadway projects.– Initiated to consider current status and future needs in vicinity of the two proposed Metrorail

stations in the area. Soapstone Connector Feasibility Study, November 2013– Assessed engineering feasibility of a multimodal roadway that would provide connection

between Sunset Hills Road and Sunrise Valley Drive.– Identified and screened multiple alternative alignments.– Identified most promising alignment for Soapstone Connector.


Environmental Reviews

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires:– Consideration of potential environmental consequences of transportation

improvements– Documentation of analyses

–Making information available to the public for comment before final decision making and implementation


Improvement Options


Purpose and Need

The purpose of the project is to provide additional multimodal capacity on a new north south alternative to mitigate congestion on Wiehle Avenue.‐

The project will address:– Inability of Wiehle Avenue to accommodate current and forecasted traffic demand.– Delays on Wiehle Avenue at the intersections with Sunset Hills Road and Sunrise

Valley Drive.– Lack of direct access for buses to the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station without

requiring travel on Wiehle Avenue.– Lack of connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists to the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail

Station, from Soapstone Drive and Sunrise Valley Drive on the south and Sunset Hills Road on the north.


Environmental Considerations

Some resources/issues to be studied include:

– Land Use and Development– Impacts to Communities– Historic and Archaeological Resources– Parklands and Recreation Areas– Traffic and Safety–Wetlands– Topography/Landscape

– Noise–Water Quality– Hazardous Materials– Cumulative Impacts– Indirect Impacts


Historic Properties

Two historic districts–Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad Historic District–Wiehle/Sunset Hills Historic District

The W&OD Railroad Historic District is considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

The Wiehle/Sunset Hills Historic District has not been evaluated for NRHP eligibility but is considered potentially eligible.

No adverse effects on the districts are anticipated, pending coordination and concurrence from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.


Archaeological Resources

Prior disturbance in the area is associated with previous transportation improvements including:– Dulles Toll Road and associated overpasses– Sunrise Valley Drive– Sunset Hills Road–Metrorail Silver Line

Past clearing and grading for construction of buildings and parking lots and installation of underground utilities also likely diminishes the potential for undisturbed land with the potential for intact archaeological deposits.

Fairfax County Park Authority and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources have concurred that no further archaeological survey is necessary.


Floodplains and Wetlands

The project lies within the Difficult Run watershed and traverses one stream, Colvin Run.

According to the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) database, there are no wetlands within the project area.

There are no Federal Emergency Management Agency-mapped 100-year floodplains within 500 feet of the project.


Air Quality and Noise

Assessment of potential impacts will be conducted consistent with VDOT and FHWA protocols and other applicable guidance.

Findings will be presented in the EA and in an Air Quality Analysis Technical Report.

Potential air quality impacts from construction activities also will be discussed in the report and EA.

A noise analysis will be conducted in accordance with federal regulations and consistent with VDOT and FHWA protocols.

The findings will be presented in the EA and in a Noise Analysis Technical Report.


Schedule


Next Steps

Study team review of public comments. Evaluation of suggestions and concerns about conceptual alternatives. Assessment of environmental impacts. Preparation of Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). Revision of EA, as appropriate, to reflect changes or new information resulting

from comments received on the EA. Submission of EA to FHWA, along with a copy of the public hearing transcript

and a request that a decision be made by FHWA. Receipt of decision document from FHWA.


Thank you!

Q&A Session

Soapstone Connector Public Information Meeting For Environmental Assessment

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