County seeks land rights for sidewalk
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 25 authorized a public hearing on the acquisition of land rights needed for the construction of a walkway on Little River Turnpike in Annandale.
The project involves pedestrian improvements between High Place and Pinecrest Parkway along the northern side of Little River Turnpike, including an eight-foot walkway and ADA-compliant crosswalks and curb ramps.
Improvements will also be made to the pedestrian crossing and existing bus stop at Conwell Drive on the south side of Little River Turnpike.
The hearing will be held Feb. 22 at 4 p.m.
To complete the project, the county needs to acquire land rights, a grading agreement, temporary construction easements, and utility easements from Dominion and Verizon.
Three of the seven property owners affected by this project have agreed to the easements. Negotiations are underway with the other four. “However, because resolution of these acquisitions is not imminent, it may be necessary for the board to utilize quick-take eminent domain powers to commence construction of this project on schedule,” the board’s background document states.
These are the affected property owners:
• Z and U Associates, 6812 Little River Turnpike.
• Suk-Hwan Kim, 4417 Roberts Ave.
• Pinecrest Heights Community Association, 4450 Pinecrest Parkway.
• Council of Co-Owners of Terrace of Annandale, Conwell Drive.
State law requires a public hearing when quick-take eminent domain is used.
This is a much-needed pedestrian connection, providing access to the George Mason Regional Library and other east end-Annandale hot spots from the Pinecrest and Lincolnia communities. I have walked it – tentatively – many times and always felt extremely exposed to car traffic. I frequently see pedestrians walking this stretch – on both sides of the roadway – and note that the often are forced to walk on shoulders or on the edge of the road itself. This can’t happen soon enough.
I’m not sure what the issue is with the existing sidewalk at Terrace townhomes. It already stretches that entire length of street there. Maybe they can’t see it because people there are always double parked and parked at the curb ends in non-spaces so you can’t see cross traffic coming out of that neighborhood onto or crossing the side road? The stretch of green space along the road makes it easier to see oncoming traffic when you have to pull onto Little River Turnpike, plus it’s the only open place they can take their dogs in that intensive development without trespassing onto neighboring properties.
This is great! I work in the Annandale Central Business District and live on Brentleigh. A side walk would make my walk to work much easier and much safer