Tag: transportation
Sidewalk planned for Columbia Pike
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is planning a 6-foot wide sidewalk along Columbia Pike between Backlick Road and Tom Davis Drive in Annandale. Mason Supervisor Penny Gross and FCDOT will host a virtual public meeting on the project on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. Access the meeting on Teams. Related story: Sidewalk project funded … Continued
Opinion: The Braddock Road project is not really ‘multimodal’
The following commentary by Annandale resident Michael Perel is a lightly edited version of a piece originally published in the Washington Post. Concerns about Arlington’s “missing middle” zoning proposal resonate with me. The proposal, which would not result in affordable housing for families, demonstrates how misleading and unsupported some public policies can be when they … Continued
2022 has been deadly for pedestrians
In a year when pedestrian fatalities spiked, let’s remember the victims. In 2022, 23 pedestrians were killed by drivers in Fairfax County, a big jump from the 13 pedestrian deaths in 2021. Nine of this year’s fatalities occurred in the Annandale/Mason District area, where heavy traffic, speeding, and insufficient crosswalks and sidewalks created deadly conditions. … Continued
Supervisors approve speed cameras
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 6 approved the creation of a speed camera pilot program. The measure adds an amendment to the County Code to allow the Fairfax County Police Department to operate photo monitoring devices in or around school crossing zones and highway work zones. There will be a graduated fine … Continued
New HOV rules take effect for I-66
New rules for Interstate 66 take effect on Monday, Dec. 5. You’ll need to have three, rather than two, passengers to qualify as a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) and avoid paying toll. The change from HOV-2+ to HOV-3+ applies to the entire I-66 corridor between Rosslyn and Gainesville. That includes the 22.5 miles of I-66 … Continued
VDOT recommends improvements for key intersections on Braddock Road
The Virginia Department of Transportation has come up with recommendations for improvements to three critical intersections on Braddock Road. Those proposals, announced at a community meeting Nov. 29, are part of the Braddock Road Multimodal Project, which is aimed at reducing traffic flow and making the corridor safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. In May 2021, … Continued
Board of Supervisors approves funds for crosswalk and trail improvements
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 1 approved $5 million for active transportation projects to improve accessibility for pedestrians and bicylists. This funding is part of the board’s $100 million commitment in September to make roads, sidewalks, and trails safer for all users. The $5 million includes $2.7 million for crosswalk projects, including … Continued
Transportation officials talk safety
Improving safety on the region’s busiest roadways requires retrofitting an infrastructure built decades ago, cooperation among jurisdictions, and changing drivers’ mindsets. Those were the key points from a discussion among regional transportation leaders at a recent webinar hosted by the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. Annual traffic fatalities in Virginia … Continued
Updated Metro map lists new Silver Line stations, but safety remains a concern
Metrorail has updated its map showing the six new stations in advance of the opening of the Silver Line anticipated for late October. The new Silver Line stations are Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Washington Dulles International Airport, Loudoun Gateway, and Ashburn. It will take more than a month to replace every map, including … Continued
VDOT to close lane across Route 50
The northbound lane on the bridge over Route 50 west of Route 7 in Seven Corners will be closed Sept. 19-Oct. 7, the Virginia Department of Transportation reports. That lane connects the eastbound Route 50 service road with the westbound Route 50 service road. It will be closed for cleaning and painting, beginning at 9 … Continued
Road name changes move forward
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 13 voted to officially request the Commonwealth Transportation Board to rename Lee Highway Route 29 and to rename Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway Route 50. That decision follows a recommendation from the Confederate Names Task Force. “If approved by the CTB,” board chair Jeffrey McKay said, “this change will … Continued
Backlick signal improvements underway
Construction is underway on improvements to enhance pedestrian and driver safety and traffic operations at the intersection of Backlick Road and Leesville Boulevard in the Springfield area of Mason District. The traffic signal upgrades include new mast arm poles, foundations, wiring, electrical equipment, high-visibility signal backplates, and signs, VDOT reports. Drivers on Backlick Road will … Continued
VDOT pursues safety improvements for Route 7 in Culmore
Several projects are underway or planned to improve pedestrian safety along a section of Leesburg Pike in the Culmore area of Bailey’s Crossroads. More than 120 community members showed up at a meeting Aug. 4 to hear officials from the Virginia and Fairfax County transportation department describe their plans at Bailey’s Elementary School. Before the … Continued
Duke Street bridge work to cause delays
The Duke Street (Route 236) bridge over Interstate 395 in Alexandria will be closed during two periods in August as crews work on pavement repairs, the Virginia Department of Transportation reports. Eastbound Duke Street will be closed at I-395 from 11 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 7, to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10.During the closure, … Continued
County seeks more funding for Seven Corners ring road
The failure of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to fully fund the Seven Corners ring road will not delay the project, says project manager Nanditha Paradkar with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. The ring road is a massive effort to reduce congestion by creating a road around the Leesburg Pike/Arlington Boulevard/Wilson Boulevard intersection. Funding … Continued