Tuesday, June 30, 2015
New VDOT Hot Line report form
A tree fell into the roadway. We assume that a VDOT crew was called to clear the road. What they neglected to do was cut the tree back far enough to also clear the trail. It's difficult to imagine how the workers could justify leaving the large tree blocking the trail. We're hoping it's cleared soon.
In our report we mentioned that it would be useful if the new form included options for reporting problems associated with bike lanes, trails and sidewalks, some of which are maintained by VDOT. This is the list of possible problems in the current form:
I need a road repaired
I need something removed from a road
I need signs or traffic devices repaired
I need new signs or traffic devices installed
I need information
I want to submit a claim
They could add "I need to report a road/trail/sidewalk repaired." and "I need something removed from a road/trail/sidewalk."I need something removed from a road
I need signs or traffic devices repaired
I need new signs or traffic devices installed
I need information
I want to submit a claim
Labels: vdot, vdot hot line
New bike lanes on Kingstowne Village Parkway
New bike lanes will soon be striped on Kingstowne Village Parkway as part of VDOT's summer repaving schedule. Thanks to everyone who supported the project and thanks to VDOT for using this opportunity to create dedicated space for cyclists while making the road safer for everyone, at no additional cost. See our earlier coverage of meetings to discuss this project.From VDOT's news release:
KINGSTOWNE VILLAGE PARKWAY PAVING BEGINS JULY 7
New striping for bike lanes from Hayfield to Beulah
 |
| Image from VDOT |
Drivers can expect daytime lane closures 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The work is expected to take about five weeks to complete.
During the repaving and restriping, crews will add a bicycle lane in each direction in place of one travel lane between Hayfield Road and Beulah Street. This “road diet” practice has been used successfully on several roads in northern Virginia, where in certain locations elements such as left-turn lanes and bicycle lanes can replace travel lanes to help reduce speeding, improve mobility for cyclists, and increase safety for all users.
Kingstowne Village Parkway is one of about 20 road segments receiving bicycle enhancements during this year’s surfacing and restriping. VDOT’s traffic engineers partnered with county staff to identify segments that were scheduled for paving and would be ideal for improvements such as road diets, bike lanes and sharrows. See more details.
See a complete list of this year’s planned enhancements.
See more on the Soapstone Drive, Lawyers Road (photos on Flickr) and Oak Street projects.
This work is part of VDOT Northern Virginia’s $168 million paving program this year.
Follow VDOT Northern Virginia on Twitter: @vadotnova
Labels: kingstowne village parkway
Monday, June 29, 2015
W&OD Trail to be closed in Reston on July 5
The suggested alternate routes for trail users, Sunset Hills Road, Wiehle Ave, and Sunrise Valley Drive are not particularly bike-friendly. There is only a concrete sidewalk along Sunset Hills Road. Experienced cyclists will likely choose to ride in the road although traffic can be fast and drivers aggressive. The trail along Wiehle Ave is OK, and there is a poorly maintained trail along Sunrise Valley Drive. Best to either avoid the area during that time, or plan to watch the race.
From the W&OD Trail Management:
Dear W&OD Trail Users,
The W&OD Trail will be closed between Old Reston Avenue and Sunrise Valley Drive (Mile Markers 18 and 16) on Sunday, July 5th between the hours of 7 AM and 8 AM. This closure is to accommodate the World Police & Fire Games Half Marathon that is being held in Fairfax County. There will be approximately 360 participants for the half marathon and we anticipate minimal impacts during the one hour closure. Fairfax County Police and event staff will direct trail users to alternate routes (like Sunset Hills Road to Wiehle Avenue to Sunrise Valley Drive) but please plan accordingly should you be in the area on that day and time.
We encourage our trail patrons to use this chance to cheer on the athletes during these Games. The World Police & Fire Games are a spectacular international sporting event held every two years; offering 12,000 professional public safety employees from 70 countries an opportunity to showcase their athletic skills in over 60 sporting events being held here in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
For more information on the World Police & Fire Games please go to www.fairfax2015.com on event schedules and locations.
Please feel free to contact the W&OD Trail office at (703) 729-0596 or via email at wod@nvrpa.org if you have further questions on the trail closure.
We appreciate your patience!
W&OD Trail Management
The W&OD Trail will be closed between Old Reston Avenue and Sunrise Valley Drive (Mile Markers 18 and 16) on Sunday, July 5th between the hours of 7 AM and 8 AM. This closure is to accommodate the World Police & Fire Games Half Marathon that is being held in Fairfax County. There will be approximately 360 participants for the half marathon and we anticipate minimal impacts during the one hour closure. Fairfax County Police and event staff will direct trail users to alternate routes (like Sunset Hills Road to Wiehle Avenue to Sunrise Valley Drive) but please plan accordingly should you be in the area on that day and time.
We encourage our trail patrons to use this chance to cheer on the athletes during these Games. The World Police & Fire Games are a spectacular international sporting event held every two years; offering 12,000 professional public safety employees from 70 countries an opportunity to showcase their athletic skills in over 60 sporting events being held here in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
For more information on the World Police & Fire Games please go to www.fairfax2015.com on event schedules and locations.
Please feel free to contact the W&OD Trail office at (703) 729-0596 or via email at wod@nvrpa.org if you have further questions on the trail closure.
We appreciate your patience!
W&OD Trail Management
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Metro Building More Bike and Ride Facilities
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) recently
announced that Bike & Ride facilities are coming to East Falls Church and
Vienna stations. By the end of this year, riders to these two metro stations
will have a more secure way to store their bikes. Each new facility will include capacity for
up to 100 bikes, docking space for oversized bikes, enclosed space out of the
weather, security features, including steel mesh walls, cameras and lighting,
and emergency egress door, phone and intercom.
 |
| Photo courtesy of WMATA |
The East Falls Church facility
is being constructed on the edge of the Kiss and Ride lot and the Vienna
facility will be located within the existing north parking garage. For more information about these projects,
visit wmata.com/bikeandride or call 202-637-7000.
Labels: east falls church, metro bike & ride, metro parking garage, vienna
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Father’s Day Ride for Dads, Moms, and Kids
FABB’s friends at Kidical Mass Arlington are celebrating
Dads, kids and summer with a ride this Sunday, June 21st. If you’re not familiar with the term, a
kidical mass is a casual family bike ride that is slow paced, conducted on quiet
streets and trails, and generally very easy. The ride this Sunday starts at
5:15pm at Rosslyn Highlands Park and ends at Heavy Seas Alehouse, where those who
wish can join the group for dinner.
 |
| Photo courtesy of City of Danville, California |
Details for the ride are below or are on http://kidicalmassarl.blogspot.com/2015/06/daddy-kidical-2015-sunday-june-21st.html
When: Sunday, June 21, 2015 5:15pm (roll out 5:30pm -
come early to play!)
Meet: Rosslyn Highlands Park -- 18th St N between
Quinn and Oak
Parking: On the surrounding residential streets.
End: Heavy Seas Alehouse - N Oak and 18th St N
Labels: arlington, bike rides
Friday, June 12, 2015
Map your bike routes to transit
Fairfax County is still seeking comments on biking to Metro and VRE stations. They want to know your current routes and what improvements are needed to make biking to transit safer and more convenient. The Bike Fairfax wikimapping project will end on June 30. From the county:
The interactive map is open to the public to post their routes and provide feedback until June 30, 2015.
Labels: Metro, vre, wikimapping project
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Community Meeting on Franconia Road Bicycle Improvements June 15!
If you want better bike conditions on Franconia Road near the Van Dorn Metro station, consider attending the community meeting sponsored by Fairfax County on Monday June 15 at 7pm. See our earlier message about this meeting, including a map of the area. From Fairfax County bike pages:
Join us on June 15, 2015, at 7 p.m., to learn about the proposed bicycle improvements to the Franconia Road are. The meeting will be held at Edison High School, 5801 Franconia Rd., Alexandria, and will focus on the proposed addition of bicycle facilities to Franconia Road between South Van Dorn Street and Craft Road. The meeting will include a brief presentation and an opportunity for questions. There will be graphics of the proposed redesign available for those in attendance to view and discuss.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is repaving a section of Franconia Road and is reviewing the segment for the addition of bicycle facilities, as called for in the Fairfax County Bicycle Master Plan. The proposal would implement a "lane diet," which involves narrowing the existing lanes and using the extra space for new bicycle facilities.
If you have any questions about the meeting or the proposed improvements, please contact Adam Lind, Fairfax County Bicycle Program, at 703-877-5783.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is repaving a section of Franconia Road and is reviewing the segment for the addition of bicycle facilities, as called for in the Fairfax County Bicycle Master Plan. The proposal would implement a "lane diet," which involves narrowing the existing lanes and using the extra space for new bicycle facilities.
If you have any questions about the meeting or the proposed improvements, please contact Adam Lind, Fairfax County Bicycle Program, at 703-877-5783.
Labels: franconia road, van dorn metro
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Route 123 bike facility workshop June 23 & 24
 |
| Rt 123 at I-495/Beltway |
VDOT is to be commended for reaching out to the bicycle and pedestrian communities to try to design a safe bike/ped facility along this critical connection between McLean and Tysons. This is a great opportunity for cyclists to work with VDOT engineers to find the best solution. Please consider attending one or both of these meetings.
See our earlier coverage of the Route 123 project meeting last summer. See also comments received by VDOT about the project (below the Idylwood Road project comments).
From VDOT's press release:
Mark your calendar!
Join us on June 23 and 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a two-evening design workshop focused on the planned bicycle and pedestrian facility in Tysons for Route 123 at the Capital Beltway (I-495). Workshops will be held in the Marshall High School Cafeteria (address below).
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Fairfax County look forward to your participation in helping to identify the preferred approach to serving bicycles and pedestrians along Route 123 at the Capital Beltway.
On June 23, the planning team will work with you to develop bicycle and pedestrian facility concepts for Route 123 through the interchange. On June 24, the planning team will review refined concepts with you and seek your input on a preferred approach.
Join us both evenings. We look forward to your good ideas and hope you’ll come ready to roll up your sleeves.
Meeting Location (both evenings)
Marshall High School
Cafeteria
7731 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22043
VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT's Civil Rights Division at 800-367-7623 or TTY/TDD 711.
For other inquiries, please contact: Paul Nishimoto at (703) 259-2362 (Paul.Nishimoto@vdot.virginia.gov) or Michelle Holland (Michelle.Holland@vdot.virginia.gov) at (703) 259-3378.
Tysons Open House Monday June 8
 |
| McLean Station bike parking Photo: PlanItMetro blog |
From the open house news release:
On Monday, June 8, from 7 to 9 p.m., the public is invited to attend an open house about Tysons. The event will take place at Freedom Hill Elementary School, 1945 Lord Fairfax Road, Tysons.
Attendees will learn more about proposed development activity, ongoing transportation and transit improvements, potential comprehensive plan changes, and park and public facility plans for Tysons.
County staff and developers who have redevelopment proposals will be on hand to answer questions. To encourage one-on-one discussion, the open house will feature table displays where attendees can learn more about specific topics. No formal presentations will be made, although open house participants will be officially introduced at 7:30 p.m.
In addition to the parks outreach and development proposals, the topics below are expected to be covered during the open house, with more to be added.
Attendees will learn more about proposed development activity, ongoing transportation and transit improvements, potential comprehensive plan changes, and park and public facility plans for Tysons.
County staff and developers who have redevelopment proposals will be on hand to answer questions. To encourage one-on-one discussion, the open house will feature table displays where attendees can learn more about specific topics. No formal presentations will be made, although open house participants will be officially introduced at 7:30 p.m.
In addition to the parks outreach and development proposals, the topics below are expected to be covered during the open house, with more to be added.
- Route 7 widening and other road improvements in Tysons
- Jones Branch Connector Bridge Improvement
- Dulles Toll Road and Cleveland Ramp Studies
- Tysons Metrorail Station Access Management Study (TMSAMS)
- Countywide Transit Network Study
- Updates on bus service
- Tysons Circulator Study
- The Tysons Partnership
Labels: freedom hill elementary school, mclean station, Tysons
Friday, June 5, 2015
Meeting to discuss Franconia Road bike facilities on June 15
Franconia Road near the Van Dorn Metro station is an important bicycle connection for cyclists in the Franconia-Huntington area. VDOT is planning to repave the road between Van Dorn St and Craft Road. There are currently no dedicated bike facilities along this section of the road. Now is your chance to speak out in support of adding bike lanes as part of this repaving project.From Fairfax County:
June 15, 2015. 7:00-8:30 PM. Edison High School, 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310. This meeting is being held to discuss the proposed addition of bicycle facilities to Franconia Road between South Van Dorn Street and Craft Road. The Virginia Department of Transporation is repaving a section of Franconia Road and in partnership with the County is reviewing the segment for the addition of bicycle facilites, as called for on the Bicycle Master Plan. The proposal would implement a "lane diet," which involves narrowing the existing lanes and using the extra space for bicycle facilities. The meeting will include a brief presentation and a Q&A session. There will be graphics of the poroposed redesign available for those in attendence to view and discuss If you have any questions, please contact Adam Lind at 703-877-5783.
Labels: franconia road
Monday, June 1, 2015
Old Lee Highway Conceptual Plan Mtg June 4
The second meeting on redisgn of Old Lee Highway in Fairfax City is scheduled for Thursday, June 4. From the Fairfax City:At this meeting, the City will present conceptual alternatives for public review and comment. The alternatives are being developed based on the feedback received at the first public meeting in March. The final result will be a refined conceptual plan for Old Lee Highway, which City Council may use should it choose to consider alternatives for Old Lee Highway.
If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like to review the alternatives, please visit our website between June 5 and June 19 or contact Wendy.Sanford@Fairfaxva.gov.
Labels: Fairfax City, old lee highway
