The Virginia Department of Transportation has commenced a yearlong study of ways to alleviate traffic congestion on Interstate 66. The study will “identify and explore a range of transportation improvements” along the highway west of the Capital Beltway to Route 15 in Prince William County. The possibilities include extending Metrorail, charging tolls and managing lanes to move in one direction during the morning commute, and the opposite direction in the evening.

The task is an enormous challenge, at best, and futile, at worst. Afternoon backups often begin before the Beltway and continue for miles as I-66 cuts westward through the suburbs of Vienna, Fairfax, Centreville and beyond.