PUBLIC NOTICE

RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT 

ROADWAY NETWORK IMPROVEMENTS AND ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT

AVAILABILITY OF FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT/RECORD OF DECISION

This notice is intended to advise the public that on February 1, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) for the federal actions reviewed in the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Roadway Network Improvements and Associated Development at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA or Airport). In accordance with the environmental policies and objectives as set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (Airports Authority) has prepared an EA. After careful examination of the EA, the FAA determined that the Proposed Action will not result in significant environmental effects. Therefore, the FAA has issued a FONSI/ROD.

The Airports Authority is proposing to improve the on-Airport Roadway Network by constructing a new multi-use facility that would include a Consolidated Rental Car Center, public parking and corporate Airports Authority office space; providing additional on-Airport public and employee parking; and implementing ground transportation improvements to enhance access to the Airport and provide access to these new facilities (the Proposed Action).

The Proposed Action includes construction of or improvements to the following facilities:

• Multi-Use Facility that will provide 2.2 million square feet for rental car companies, public parking, and office space for the Airports Authority.

• Connector Garage and Ground Transportation Center that will provide approximately 650 parking spaces and additional curb space for passenger pick-up and drop-off. 

• Transportation Network Company (TNC) Staging Area that will provide temporary parking for employees during the construction of the Proposed Action and space for TNC staging.

• Pedestrian Wayfinding to clarify existing pedestrian access to and from DCA.

• Long-Term Roadway Network Improvements through realignment of the West Entrance Road and improvements for areas in the roadway where congestion issues have been identified. And,

• Enabling Projects as needed to develop the Proposed Action. Enabling projects include interim roadway improvements, modular parking decks, demolition and relocation of the Engineering and Maintenance Buildings and Shops, relocation of Public Safety offices, and a temporary surface parking lot.

The FONSI/ROD indicates that the project is consistent with NEPA policies and objectives in that it will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. The proposed project area at DCA is within the 100-year floodplain. In accordance with Executive Order 11988 and Department of Transportation Order 5650.2, an opportunity for early public review of the Proposed Action and its impact on the base floodplain was provided. As addressed in the Final EA, impacts to the floodplain associated with the Proposed Action are expected to be less than significant and the floodplain encroachment will not adversely affect the natural and beneficial values of the floodplain, result in a high probability of loss of human life, or result in damages that could be substantial in cost or extent, including the interruption of service or loss of a vital transportation facility.

A public review and comment period was conducted pursuant to the 1987 Programmatic Memorandum of Agreement among the FAA, the Virginia State Historic Preservation Officer (VASHPO), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (as regards Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 – 36 CFR 800). The Proposed Undertaking will result in new construction and the demolition of Abingdon Research Station/Department of Transportation Laboratory Buildings which are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. To resolve the adverse effect to Abingdon Research Station/Department of Transportation Laboratory Buildings, consultation with the VASHPO and other consulting parties resulted in a project-specific Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that includes mitigation measures. The executed MOA is included as an appendix of the Final EA.

The Final EA and FONSI/ROD can be accessed on the Airports Authority’s website under the Environmental Information section: https://www.mwaa.com/about/environmental-information

Physical copies of the Final EA and FONSI/ROD are available at the Aurora Hills Branch of the Arlington County Library:

Arlington County Library, Aurora Hills Branch

735 South 18th Street

Arlington, Virginia 22202

Please direct any comments or questions on the Final EA or FONSI to Colleen Regotti: Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

1 Aviation Circle

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport 

Washington, DC 20001-6000

[email protected]