A study on turning Route 1 into a bike- and pedestrian-friendly “urban boulevard” through Crystal City has concluded, teeing up big-ticket changes in years to come.
Last night (Tuesday), the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) presented the Phase 2 findings of a study on plans to bring the commuter route — which is currently elevated between 20th Street S. and 12th Street S. — down to street level.
The latest iteration builds on years of discussions about building a lusher, less car-centered corridor through the dense metro area.
Wider sidewalks, a six-foot-wide bicycle path and about 100 additional trees on the one-mile-long road segment are all envisioned. So are plans to reduce the speed limit to 25 mph, remove dedicated right-turn lanes “where possible,” narrow travel lanes and otherwise “shift driver expectations from a free-flowing highway to a slower-speed urban boulevard,” an executive summary says.
Concept designs call for three travel lanes in each direction and a pedestrian refuge in the middle. The project comes with a goal of reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips during peak evening hours by at least 10% — likely made easier by the plan for a pro sports arena in Potomac Yard getting nixed.
The designs are expected to free about about 5.5 acres of land “that could be converted to non-transportation uses,” such as new development.
Changes from 23rd Street S. to 12th Street S. are estimated to cost about $161 million, while extending the boulevard from 12th Street S. to the I-395 interchange is expected to cost another $100 million.
“Converting this roadway to an at-grade urban boulevard will refocus attention on travel by all modes and serve to reconnect the urban form within Crystal City,” the summary says.
Numerous design changes are planned for intersections in the project area, including new signalized intersections at 18th Street S., 15th Street S. and at the proposed exit ramps to I-395; a channelized left-turn lane at the 23rd Street S. intersection; and buffered bike lanes at 15th Street S.
Other planned features include the following.
- A decorative buffer with trees and grass between pedestrians from bicyclists
- Walk zones ranging from 10 to 14 feet in width
- Newly created “undefined open space” along the edges of some three-quarters of the corridor, presenting “opportunities for redevelopment”
- Mounted speed display signs
- Tighter curb radii meant to slow vehicles down as they turn onto side streets
Last night’s meeting, which was about an hour and a half long, consisted of a presentation on VDOT’s current plans followed by a Q&A session.
Engagement efforts during Phase 2 of this study began in December 2021 and have involved four public meetings, meetings of Arlington’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and talks with over a dozen agencies ranging from the Maryland Department of Transportation to the Department of Defense.
Tracy Sayegh Gabriel, president of the National Landing BID, praised the effort to “seamlessly connect our dynamic neighborhoods, creating a true multimodal boulevard that is walkable, connected, and safe for people.”
“Beyond improving safety and connectivity, the Route 1 transformation will elevate the area’s appeal to businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues,” Gabriel said in a statement to ARLnow. “By fostering a more walkable, landscaped environment, it paves the way for economic growth and strengthens National Landing as a premier urban destination.”
Construction on the project could start “as soon as 2028,” pending the approval of adequate funding, according to VDOT.
“Prior to the beginning of the construction process, it is critical that ongoing developments and County projects adjacent to Route 1 be closely coordinated with the design of the recommended urban boulevard,” the executive summary says. “These adjacent developments may not only influence how Route 1 will be constructed, but also, they may enhance [the] character of the boulevard in the future.”
