Challenge to Capital Beltway Expansion Claims Environmental Harm

A citizen’s association is asking a Virginia federal court to enjoin the state from expanding parts of the Capital Beltway until the Federal Highway Administration conducts a new environmental impact assessment.

The McLean, Virginia residents filing suit argue that the current design for which Virginia and contractor Transurban are breaking ground is significantly different than a 2021 plan that the highway administration deemed would have no significant environmental impact.

Instead, the Northern Virginia Citizens Association argues that the construction already done on the beltway, also known as Interstate 495, has deforested the length of a local street; caused residents to ...