Feedback sought on transportation priorities
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is seeking public feedback on the proposed FY 2025-30 Transportation Priorities Plan (TPP).
The plan anticipates an estimated $3.9 billion to fund continued investment in more than 300 existing priority projects, including interchanges, road widening, new road construction, active transportation projects, transit planning studies, and traffic calming initiatives.
Among the major projects in the TPP plan are the Seven Corners Ring Road and the Braddock Road multimodal improvements.
Comments on the TPP can be submitted here. Recorded comments can be called in to 703-890-5898, project code 11699. All comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on July 23.
FCDOT staff will hold a virtual meeting on the TPP on July 16 at 6 p.m. Log into the meeting on Microsoft Teams here. Meeting ID: 278 572 370 413 2; passcode: kn6Ft9TV. Dial in: 571-429-5982; phone conference ID: 453413121.
Here are some of the projects in the TPP plan in the Annandale/Mason District area, followed by the recommended funding amount over the next six years:
- Seven Corners Ring Road, $132.63 million – Phase 1 interchange improvements on the west side of the intersection between Route 50 and Route 7.
- Braddock Road, Annandale/Springfield, $2.63 million – Alternative analysis, preliminary design, and plan development for Phase 1 and 2 multimodal improvements on Braddock Road between Humphries Drive and Ravensworth Road.
- Braddock Road, Annandale/Springfield, $68.63 million – Phase 1 intersection and corridor improvements from Ravensworth Road to Southampton Drive, including bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
- Braddock Road, Springfield, $27.3 million – Phase 2 intersection improvements from Southampton Drive to Humphries Drive, including bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
- Little River Turnpike walkway, Annandale, $7.81 million – Construct 1,550 linear feet of curb-abutted sidewalk between Hillbrook Drive and Little River Run.
- Little River Turnpike walkway, Annandale, $4.74 million – Construct 1,500 linear feet of walkway along the north side of Little River Turnpike west and east of Roberts Avenue.
- Peace Valley Lane walkway, Seven Corners, $470,000 – Construct 825 linear feet of sidewalk along Peace Valley Lane near Justice High School.
- Columbia Pike Complete Streets, Annandale, $3.25 million – Construct a new sidewalk and street improvements along the south side of Columbia Pike from Backlick Road to Tom Davis Drive.
- Leesburg Pike, Bailey’s Crossroads, $2.2 million – Construct a sidewalk on westbound Route 7 across the Liberty Gas Station frontage to connect with the existing sidewalk at the shopping center to the east.
- Columbia Pike, Bailey’s Crossroads, $920,000 – Install a pedestrian hybrid beacon at the existing crosswalk on Tyler Street. Consider rectangular rapid flashing beacons and a pedestrian island if the hybrid beacon is not feasible.
- Columbia Pike, Bailey’s Crossroads, $900,000 – Construct approximately 300 linear feet of a missing active transportation link on the north side of Columbia Pike between Blair Road and Gordon Street.
- Braddock Road/Witch Hazel Road, Lincolnia, $110,000 – Install a pedestrian refuge island.
- Backlick Road, Springfield, $5.67 million – Construct a left turn lane on Backlick Road and pedestrian improvements along the northbound side of Backlick Road between Hechinger Drive and Industrial Road.
- Heritage Drive, Annandale, $680,000 – Install a pedestrian refuge island at the existing crosswalk at Rectory Lane.
- Heritage Drive, Annandale, $300,000 – Install a pedestrian refuge island at the existing crosswalk on Commons Drive.
- Leesburg Pike, Bailey’s Crossroads, $730,000 – Construct 150 linear feet of a missing active transportation link on the south side of Leesburg Pike between Seminary Road and Carlin Springs Road.
- Leesburg Pike, Bailey’s Crossroads, $2.2 million – Construct a sidewalk on the north side of Route 7 between Magnolia Avenue and the existing sidewalk in front of 5900 Leesburg Pike.
- Patrick Henry Drive, Seven Corners, $500,000 – Add a marked crosswalk with a pedestrian refuge island and relocated bus stop on Patrick Henry Drive at Willston Drive.
- Woodburn Road, Annandale, $60,000 – Install a pedestrian refuge island at the entrance to Pine Ridge Park.
- Murray Lane/Early Street, Annandale, $150,000 – Install ADA curb ramps and a high visibility crosswalk.
- Bus stops, $240,000 – Upgrade bus stops in Mason District to improve transit access.
- Electric buses, $5 million – Purchase zero-emission buses for the Fairfax Connector fleet.
- Capital Bikeshare, $9.75 million – Cover operating costs for bike-share facilities throughout the county.
A final TPP is expected to be approved by the Board of Supervisors in late fall of 2025.
Funding for the proposed plan will be provided through a combination of sources, including federal, state, regional, local, and private funds, FCDOT says. Specific funding streams are subject to change from project to project and throughout the plan’s timeframe.
“With so many diverse projects, local and regional transportation interests, and intricate funding considerations, the TPP serves as a critical foundation for coordinating and prioritizing long-term investments in Fairfax County’s transportation network,” says FCDOT Director Gregg Steverson. “The TPP reflects our commitment to enhancing mobility, improving safety, and fostering connectivity across all areas of the county.”
None of the Braddock road projects are needed. More lights will only slow traffic.
Pedestrian refuge islands are a joke. The newly installed island on Sleepy Hollow Road at Buffalo Ridge fire station has been demolished 6 times in one year. Solid steel pipes sunk to a depth of at heart 6 feet and extending 6 fat above ground is one solution to not getting killed while seeking refuge. The other question is why aren’t pedestrians given the right of way to crosss. Arlington county has numerous crosswalks that have.flashing lights that are activated by pedestrians trying to cross. FFC is stuck in the18th century when it comes to pedestrian safety
There needs to be sidewalk on Braddock Road between Ravensworth and Backlick.
This plan is a horrendous blight on the ecosystem. Braddock Rd is one of the only routes which is shaded by huge old growth trees.
Instead of spending all this money on this boon-goggle please lower our property taxes.
I have little faith in the price given, as government projects usually double! My distrust is only heightened by Fairfax County going 300 million dollars over budget.
I say no!! Please save our trees!!!
$9 million to fund operational costs of capital bikeshare means it loses a ton of money each year. Why are we subsidizing this if nobody wants to rent these bikes? Are there any statistics published about usage?
The program was for tourists and visitors to get between museums and historical sites. Also, distant parking areas in the city have bike connectors. Employees trying to get to work without worsening traffic use Capital Bikeshare. There’s no reason they couldn’t use these for recreation rides along the side of Braddock, or just keep them as a car alternative that’s there in case someone needs to get through traffic without a car.
Tourists coming to Mason district to ride bikes to museums?
$3.9 BILLION! What kind of cost/benefit analysis — if any– goes into the funding decisions? Too often it seems we are funding projects based on the notion that we should live in Manhatten or Amsterdam and walk, bike, or use public transit instead of using cars. Fairfax is suburban and the transportation infrastructure needs to serve residents by focusing on improving safety and promoting efficiency by modest investments in the existing roads. Before tearing up streets at great expense, planners should be asking how many residents in the affected neighborhoods are actually going to walk or bike. What makes sense in compact high density urban areas cannot be indiscriminately implemented in wealthy sprawling suburban neighborhoods. The idea that “Build it they will come” is a costly fantasy.
Fairfax is car traffic oriented, and probably mixing recreational biking into the traffic is dangerous. On the other hand, safe offsets and walking/biking trails can be accessible for people, connecting with cafes or leisure parks, but not near traffic or heavy retail. Probably more people would want to bike and walk if there were safer, separate areas.
Fix the new Metro bus schedule. The new A58 runs every 30 minutes from Seven Corners, yet every 15 minutes from Ballston. Why does Metro leave Mason District riders waiting a half hour with its “improved” routes? Focus on efficient public transportation in Mason District, not just overbuilding housing to increase traffic.
•Backlick Rd already has left turn lanes at Hechinger and Industrial Rds.
•Pedestrian “refuge islands” are a hoot. They are traffic obstacles and dangerous for pedestrians. Only helpful on multi lane road intersections. Woodburn, Heritage, Patrick Henry do not qualify.
•Capital Bikeshare! It’s in the name. For the Capitol, not the suburbs. I see abandoned bikes lying around GWPky, Braddock Rd and other assorted roads. It’s a folly.
How can a “Ring Road” work at Seven Corners with the overpass? I think Seven Corners works very well with the traffic lights they have now.