Backlick Road sidewalk project under way

This path will be replaced with a six-foot wide sidewalk.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is planning a $1.5 million sidewalk project for Backlick Road between Cindy Lane and Degroff Court in Annandale.

The project includes new six-foot wide sidewalks with curb ramps that comply with the Americans for Disabilities Act, new storm drain inlets and pipes, and new driveway entrances, FDCOT engineer Latesa Turner told the public at a community meeting Nov. 9.

The area in front of the retail center on Backlick Road by Degroff Court already has a sidewalk.

Several utility poles, fences, and a flashing school beacon will need to be relocated.

Two homes, at 7111 Cindy Lane and 4701 Backlick Road, will be affected, as well as a small retail center with the Rice Pot restaurant, Annandale Hardware, Express 1 Food Mart, and Backlick Road Service Station.

The three entrances to the shopping center and one residential driveway will be rebuilt. A few trees will have to be taken down and sloping land will be graded. There also could be an impact on underground water and gas utilities. One of the crosswalks at the Cindy Lane intersection will be removed.

The county will need to obtain easements or right-of-way from property owners before the work begins. A land acquisition agent will negotiate with property owners, beginning in spring 2018.

The final design is scheduled to be completed by spring 2019, construction would start in fall 2019, and the project could be completed in 2020. Funding is from s transportation bond approved by voters in 2014.

Comments on the project can be submitted to FCDOT here.