FABB Blog

 

Comment on Virginia's Long Range Transportation Plan

The 2035 Virginia Surface Transportation Plan (VSTP) is Virginia's long range plan for all modes of transportation, including bicycling. Fairfax County is in the Northern Region. The draft plan is now available for review and comment until July 30. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Element of the plan is focused on: Development of a Bike Policy Plan, Development of a Pedestrian Policy Plan, and Development of an Implementation Plan for both the Bicycle and Pedestrian Policy Plans.

The Bike Policy Plan is still in draft form, and now that the statewide bicycle coordinator position is vacant, progress on completing the plan is slow. Even when complete, the bicycle policy plan will contain few concrete facility recommendations. It is a policy plan that addresses VDOT policies, programs, outreach, and data collection.

Cyclists should send comments on the 2035 plan to statewideplan@VDOT.Virginia.Gov by the end of July. We suggest the following comments: 1. Fill the state bicycle coordinator position as soon as possible. The position is federally funded and there is no reason for it to be vacant. 2. Specific bicycle facility recommendations should be included in the plan. There are 7 pages of Northern Region highway recommendations and non for bicycling:

The following recommendations are suggested: Bicycle improvements to existing roads, especially U. S. Bicycle Routes 1 & 76, such as paved shoulders or restriping for wide curb lanes or bike lanes; construction of new regionally significant bicycle facilities; improved maintenance of bicycle facilities; and improved bicycle access to park and ride facilities, including better bicycle parking at those facilities. A plan for funding these improvements should also be included.

See the 2035 Virginia Surface Transportation Plan.

Labels: vdot, virginia surface transportation plan, vtrans

posted by Bruce Wright at 12:09 PM permalink