Construction to cause major delays on Columbia Pike

An illustration of a sculpture to be installed on Columbia Pike at the western gateway to Arlington. [Arlington County]

If you commute toward D.C. on Columbia Pike, you might want to rethink your route.

Arlington County is beginning work on the westernmost section of the road, resulting in lane reductions throughout 2020.

“Starting on or about Monday, Dec. 30, there will be new traffic patterns along the west end of Columbia Pike that are expected to cause additional delays for those travelling through this area,” Arlington County states. “Drivers – especially those commuting along Columbia Pike – are encouraged to use alternate routes.”

Between S. Jefferson Street and the Four Mile Run Bridge, sections of Columbia Pike will be reduced to one lane in each direction daily, including weekends. One additional lane will be open in the eastbound direction, heading toward D.C. during weekday morning rush hours (7-9:30 a.m.). These changes will be in place for much of the next year.

Arlington is transforming Columbia Pike into “a complete street that balances all modes of travel and supports high-quality, high-frequency transit service.”

The project includes wider sidewalks, new street lights, upgraded traffic signals, street trees, and a piece of public art near Columbia Pike and S. Jefferson Street. Aging underground water and sewer pipes will be replaced, and existing overhead utilities will be buried underground.

The public art, by Donald Lipski, is a 50-foot tall wind-turbine wing celebrating the history of Columbia Pike. In recognition of the road’s early days as a toll road, the base of the statue will be studded with thousands of coins collected by Arlington residents.

The Columbia Pike improvement project is expected to be completed in early 2021.

Work hours will be extended during weekdays until 9 p.m., and additional work is expected on Saturdays and Sundays. Speed through the area is reduced from 35 to 25 mph.

These changes are necessary so the contractor for the Columbia Pike west end project can install a utility duct bank system beneath the eastbound lanes.

Arlington County encourages drivers to take alternative routes:

• If traveling westbound, follow George Mason Drive north to Route 50/Arlington Boulevard or south to Route 7/Leesburg Pike.
• If heading eastbound, take Carlin Springs Road north to Route 50/Arlington Boulevard or south to Route 7/Leesburg Pike.

Several bus stops in the construction zone have been relocated.