Many Alexandria residents favored a less intrusive 10-lane plan. In the end, officials decided that 12 lanes would meet traffic needs more effectively. Shoulders will reduce the rate of accidents and improve accident management. Although a design for the new bridge has not been finalized, specifications require arches designed to mimic other Washington bridges. Also, lanes could be reconfigured to accommodate HOV or express traffic.
Officials say the absence of shoulders makes for unsafe conditions.
Emergency vehicles often have trouble reaching accidents. Beltway approaches are four lanes in each direction that must narrow to three on the bridge. This creates a bottleneck and an average weekday backup on the Beltway of one to six miles.