Tag: transportation
Ambitious bike plan proposed for Fairfax County
Bikes parked in front of the George Mason library How would you like to see central Annandale circled with bike routes connecting Gallows Road, Village Drive, Chatelaine Road, John Marr Drive, McWhorter Place, Markham Drive, Annandale Road and Maple Street? And how about bike lanes along Gallows, Annandale Road, Hummer Road, and Backlick Road and … Continued
Transurban needs to do more to restore environmental damage
The Little River Turnpike/Beltway intersection. This photo was taken in February from the roof of the Heritage Center. By Liz Kirchner Since 2010, Transurban, the private partner with VDOT on the I-495 express lanes, awarded grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 to county agencies, non-profit organizations, Brownie troops, and neighborhoods affected by the beltway construction … Continued
Public comments sought on beltway landscaping
The beltway exit at Gallows Road The public is invited to submit comments on the Virginia Department of Transportation’s landscaping plan for the “express lanes corridor,” which extends for 14 miles from the Springfield interchange to the Dulles Toll Road. The $1.4 billion beltway project is expected to be completed by the end of 2012. … Continued
Columbia Pike streecar project still on track, despite delays
The view from the Skyline Center The Columbia Pike Transit Initiative is running a bit behind schedule, but Len Wolfenstein, Fairfax County’s chief transportation planner, still believes it can be operational by 2017. Federal approval of the environmental analysis is taking longer than anticipated, Wolfenstein told participants at a Bailey’s Business Breakfast at the Skyline … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: McDonnell dropped the ball on transportation
For a state with the motto “Sic Semper Tyrannis,” the commonwealth of Virginia places a surprising level of budgetary discretion in the hands of its governor. After a grueling three-month campaign for sanity, waged primarily by the Senate Democrats, weeks later than expected, the General Assembly passed and sent a budget to Gov. McDonnell. The … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: the budget stalemate
By Del. Kaye Kory My friend, Sen. Creigh Deeds, shared with me his thoughts on some major budget issues. Since those issues are of as much concern to us in the 38th District as they are to Sen. Deeds’ constituents down in Bath County—and since the senator’s views are congruent with my own—I thought you … Continued
Streetcar proposal for Columbia Pike takes shape
Wolfenstein Leaders of the Pike Transit Initiative (PTI) are moving ahead with their project to bring streetcars to the Columbia Pike corridor and plan to bring their proposal to the Fairfax County and Arlington County boards late this summer. There will be public meetings on the proposal in April and May. If the project is … Continued
Sen. Marsden’s Richmond Diary
Here’s the third installment of Sen. Dave Marsden’s Richmond Diary, covering his work in the Virginia legislature. Monday, Jan. 23 The day started early, as I presented a bill to the Senate Courts of Justice Committee at 8:30 a.m. The bill failed on a 7 to 7 vote, but I have a good way to … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: This session will be a long one
By Kaye Kory The Virginia General Assembly convened the 2012 legislative session on Jan. 11. This year’s 60-day session is scheduled to conclude on March 10. I have three committee assignments, up from two in my first term. I will continue serving on the Science and Technology Committee and this year I have also been … Continued
Public hearing to seek input on Annandale bike routes
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting in February to hear recommendations on the “Annandale subarea” for a proposed bicycle master plan. The countywide bicycle plan is aimed at designating a system of roads and trails throughout the county. The date and place for the meeting haven’t been determined yet. The … Continued
Mason BRAC Task Force agrees on transportation priorities
The Mason District BRAC-133 Task Force has completed its ranking of proposed road improvements to alleviate traffic congestion caused by the new Department of Defense complex at the Mark Center. At its Nov. 1 meeting, the group agreed on these three top priorities: Reduce weaving on Beauregard Street, southbound from North Chambliss Street to Route … Continued
FX CO to explore long-term transit options
Fairfax County will begin working on a countywide study in January to explore transit options for all the major corridors for the next 30 years. The county’s current transit plan, developed in 1990, covers such major corridors as Route 66, the Fairfax County Parkway, the Dulles toll road, and the beltway. The new plan will … Continued
Gross and Feld offer opposing views on the state of Mason District
Penny Gross and David Feld have very different perspectives on the state of Mason District. Feld, the Republican candidate hoping to unseat Gross, says the commercial centers of Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners are in dire need of revitalization, as redevelopment investment bypasses this part of the county. “We are not getting our share … Continued
Bus knocks down utility pole on Columbia Pike in Annandale
A 16A Metrobus crashed into a utility pole on Columbia Pike in front of Bloom at about 9:10 p.m., knocking down power lines. Columbia Pike is closed between Evergreen Lane and John Marr Drive, as there are live wires in the street. According to police, the road will remain closed for about 12 hours. There … Continued
Task force weighs road improvements to address BRAC-related traffic congestion
I-395 at Seminary Road with the BRAC complex in the background The Mason District BRAC-133 Task Force will prioritize a list of road projects aimed at alleviating congestion near the Mark Center complex at its next meeting on Nov. 1. The task force has already agreed on two projects, which have been given the go-head by … Continued