Pedestrian improvement projects proposed
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation seeks feedback on potential bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects for the next round of funding.
FCDOT has previously set a goal to invest $100 million in active transportation projects between 2021 and 2027. So far, $82.12 million has been committed, with the remaining $17.88 million expected to be allocated by 2027.
In fall 2025, the board approved an additional $25.43 million in one-time funding for projects within each magisterial district.
The following active transportation projects are proposed for Mason District:
- Columbia Pike at Mason District Park – Improve active transportation facilities at the entrance to the park and trail on the south side of Columbia Pike, including possible additional crosswalk and trail connections, median cut-throughs, upgraded curb ramps, and pedestrian-scale lighting. [A pedestrian was struck and killed at this spot in November.]
- Columbia Pike/Sleepy Hollow Road – Extend the existing trail on the south side of Columbia Pike approximately 350 feet east to Sleepy Hollow Road. Install a signalized crosswalk on Columbia Pike at Sleepy Hollow Road with reconstructed curb ramps and pedestrian-scale lighting.
- Arlington Boulevard/Graham Road – Improve active transportation facilities at the intersection, possibly including an additional marked crosswalk, median cut-throughs, a pedestrian refuge, reconstructed curb ramps, and upgraded pedestrian-scale lighting.
- Little River Turnpike from Lake Drive to 8428 Little River Turnpike – Construct approximately 600 feet of a walkway along the north side of Little River Turnpike.
- Seminary Road/Carlin Springs Road – Construct approximately 200 feet of active transportation facilities along the north side of Seminary Road just west of the Carlin Springs Road intersection, upgrade curb ramps, and install pedestrian-scale lighting.
- Carlin Springs Road/Seminary Road – Construct a 200-foot walkway along the west side of Carlin Springs Road just north of the Seminary Road intersection, upgrade curb ramps, and install pedestrian-scale lighting.
- Little River Turnpike from Roberts Avenue to High Place – Construct approximately 600 feet of active transportation facilities along the north side of Little River Turnpike from the service road east of Roberts Avenue to the service road east of High Place, including new curb ramps and pedestrian-scale lighting.
- Leesburg Pike from Rock Spring Avenue to Crossroads Center Way – Upgrade the existing active transportation facilities along the north side of Leesburg Pike, including reconstructed curb ramps and pedestrian-scale lighting.
- Columbia Pike/eastbound Leesburg Pike and Seminary Road ramp – Construct a new signalized crosswalk across Columbia Pike at the eastbound Leesburg Pike and Seminary Road ramp, including reconstructed curb ramps and pedestrian-scale lighting.
- Leesburg Pike/Aldi Shopping Center – Construct a 10-foot walkway and a new curb ramp to provide pedestrian access from the existing sidewalk on the north side of Leesburg Pike to the shopping center.
- Arlington Boulevard/Thomas Jefferson Library – Install a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon at the existing marked crosswalk across Arlington Boulevard near the library entrance. Relocate the eastbound and westbound bus stops and construct new active transportation connections and boarding pads.
- Route 50/Allen Street – Install additional crosswalks, upgrade the parallel-style crosswalk to high-visibility markings, relocate the existing crosswalk, construct one or more pedestrian refuges, reconstruct curb ramps, and install pedestrian-scale lighting.
- Little River Turnpike/Guinea Road – Improve active transportation facilities at the Little River Turnpike and Guinea Road intersection to possibly include an additional marked crosswalk, new curb ramps, and approximately 50 feet of connection at the northeast corner of the intersection.
- Little River Turnpike/Woodland Road – Construct a bus pad and active transportation facilities connecting to the bus stop on the south side of Little River Turnpike east of Woodland Road. Install a marked crosswalk and curb ramps at the bus stop in front of Little River Shopping Center.
- Gallows Road from Holmes Run Drive to the I-495 north ramp – Construct approximately 200 feet of active transportation facilities on the north side of Gallows Road from the existing sidewalk west of Holmes Run Drive to the I-495 ramp, including a new crosswalk on Gallows Road at Holmes Run Drive.
- Woodburn Road/Spicewood Drive and Robey Avenue – Install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at the crosswalk on Woodburn Road at the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail crossing between Spicewood Drive and Robey Avenue.
These proposed projects are in the Annandale area of the Braddock District:
- Little River Turnpike from Wakefield Chapel Road to Lake Drive – Construct approximately 900 feet of active transportation facilities along the south side of Little River Turnpike.
- Little River Turnpike/I-495 north exit ramp – Improve the existing trail crossing on the south side of Little River Turnpike at the ramp and the existing trail intersection at Accotink Parkway.
- Heritage Drive from Little River Turnpike to Heritage Woods Way – Improve approximately 600 feet of active transportation facilities on Heritage Drive.
- Heritage Drive/Four Year Run – Improve the existing marked crosswalk on Heritage Drive at the Four Year Run intersection near Annandale High School by installing curb extensions and on-street parking restrictions.
FCDOT is soliciting feedback on the proposed list of projects. Take a survey on the priorities for Mason District here. Take the Braddock survey here. The surveys will be open through March 31, 4:30 p.m.
There will be two virtual community meetings – on March 11 at 12 p.m. and March 12 at 7 p.m. FCDOT staff will present an overview of the proposed pedestrian and bicycle improvement projects and answer general questions about the prioritization process.
The projects on the list of priorities were developed by FCDOT, working with district supervisors and informed by community and stakeholder feedback and recommendations from traffic studies.
The goal, FCDOT says, “is to make walking and biking safe and accessible for everyone, especially near schools, parks, high-traffic areas, and public transportation.”
View the list of approved and completed active transportation projects here.
This is a great start. Pedestrian safety projects have been ignored and underfunded in Fairfax County, particularly in Annandale. Thank you for recognizing this need.
We need additional items added.
For the Columbia Pike at Mason District Park entrance, please consider the flashing yellow to red lights to allow pedestrians to cross safely by hitting a button. Many people from Sleepy Hollow Woods cross there daily and at most times, it’s difficult without having to run across.
If you think anyone in their right mind considers these”pedestrian refuges” you’re smoking a better grade than I. Sleepy Hollow Road underwent a several million dollar to install sidewalks. The problem is they’re not connected. A pedestrian needs to cross SHR several times to get to a destination. SHR is a north/south route (one of a few) that connects Columbia Pike to Route 50; it is heavily traveled. Added to the mix are two schools and a fire station. In the construction about a dozen pedestrian refuges have been constructed. The one at the northern of SHR (at the fire station) has been severely damaged by vehicles making me a non believer in their integrity. Only VDOT would permit such design. The number of pedestrians using the sidewalks is minimal and those who do walk choose to use the traffic lanes.
The three projects involving Colombia pike and Seminary Road. Can they be done concurrent with the extension of Seminary Road
We’ve been waiting for a sidewalk aling 236 from Little River Run Dr. to the George Mason Regional Library for decades. Has this project been abandoned? Seems several trees were removed and other preparations have been made but as in the past several decades, no progress. There is work on the opposite side of 236 from Roberts Ave., however.