(addressed to a constituent)

Dear xxxxxxxxxxx

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the Western Transportation Corridor Study. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you know, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is conducting a Major Investment Study (MIS) to evaluate the need for transportation improvement option in the Western region of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

The review process involved in a project of the magnitude of the Western Transportation Corridor Study will require action by the local, State and Federal agencies. The Western Corridor Study has completed its fourth study phase; the Selection of Final Alternative for More Detailed Evaluation and Presentation in a Final Report. Officials with the Virginia Department of Transportation plan to finish the study by January 1997. Any suggested corridors are expected to be constructed by the year 2020.

VDOT will conduct a final series of public meetings on the study this November. Public meetings will be held from 5:30pm to 10:p.m, and VDOT staff will be on hand to answer questions regarding the study. If you would like to speak at the meeting, I would suggest that you preregister before November 4 1996 by contacting (800) 960-8448. While citizens may also sign up at the various meetings, they are strongly encourages to preregister due to the large number of citizens who are expected to participate.

Public meetings will be held at Stonewall Jackson High School on November 13, Stafford High School on November 14, Liberty High School on November 20 and Farmwell Station Middle School on November 21.

As a Federal legislator, my role is to ensure that any action taken by the Virginia Department of Transportation is in full compliance with all existing federal laws. The Federal review process wll require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as well as an examination by the Federal Highway Administration as required under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of the possible impact of the proposed routing on the regions plans to improve air quality.

The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency ActÕs planning process remains an active part of the regional Transportation Planning Board decision-making process. It has been successful in allowing local and regional organization to determine their own transportation priorities, which I support. During the 105th Congress, I will be reintroducing the ISTEA Integrity Restoration Act which will continue to move our surface transportation policy forward.

If at any time you believe that the Virginia Department of Transportation is not complying fully with the requirement of NEPA to provide for a full and open process, please feel free to contact my office for assistance.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your views with me.

With kind regards I am

Sincerely,

John Warner

Return to The Contacts Page