Tag: transportation
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
Seven Corners project not fully funded
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) has approved more than $330 million for six transportation projects in Fairfax County. While five of the projects are fully funded, the NVTA is only allocating $4.2 million for the $94.8 million Seven Corners ring road project. That project would improve traffic flow and pedestrian and bicycle safety around … Continued
Culmore residents: Route 7 is unsafe
Residents of the Culmore community in Bailey’s Crossroads take their life into their hands when they try to cross or walk along Leesburg Pike (Route 7). The Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG) and CASA, an immigrant advocacy organization, have been pushing state and local transportation officials to make improvements on Route 7 to improve safety … Continued
Poe students learn bike safety
Now that school’s out for the summer, some local kids will be safer riding bikes around their neighborhoods. All sixth-graders at Poe Middle School in Annandale learned how to ride a bicycle for the first time, or if they are more advanced riders, learned about bike safety, as part of their physical education class. Poe … Continued
Board agrees to ban trucks on Olin Drive
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution June 7 aimed at prohibiting truck traffic through the Lee Boulevard Heights neighborhood in Seven Corners. The measure would add Olin Drive, a portion of Munson Hill Road, and Row Street to the RTAP (Residential Traffic Administration Program). The problem started a couple of years ago … Continued
Supervisors propose taxi fuel surcharge
Taxi fares could increase, as the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering a $2 surcharge to make up for soaring gas prices. On July 7, the board authorized a public hearing to consider an emergency ordinance for a per-trip taxicab surcharge of up to $2. The ordinance would be in effect from June 29 … Continued
VDOT assesses Route 236 improvements
The Virginia Department of Transportation is considering several improvements to Little River Turnpike (Route 236) in Annandale. Potential options include innovative intersection enhancements at Backlick Road, a pedestrian hybrid beacon at Minor Lane, raised medians between Markham Street and John Marr Drive, a traffic signal and crosswalks at Green Spring Road, and improved traffic flow … Continued
VDOT installs new crosswalks and signals on Columbia Pike
New accessible traffic signals and crosswalks, aimed at improving safety, have been implemented at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Lacy Boulevard/Maple Court in Bailey’s Crossroads, VDOT reports. The traffic signal upgrades include new mast arm poles, foundations, wiring, electrical equipment, high-visibility signal backplates, and signs. Also, drivers on Columbia Pike now have flashing yellow … Continued