A representative from the Virginia Department of Transportation this week defended the agency’s balance between prioritizing cars and other forms of transportation.
Heidi Mitter, VDOT’s bicycle-pedestrian planning coordinator, told members of Arlington’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and Pedestrian Advisory Committee that VDOT doesn’t want to impede making roadways more friendly to pedestrians and bicycles.
“We all know there is a tension between the growing urban environment and some of the roads that are out there,” Mitter said on Oct. 5. VDOT’s desire is “looking at each circumstance and looking at what could be adjusted, what creative solutions could be proposed.”
Pushing back on her comments was Cynthia Palmer, who chairs the Bicycle Advisory Committee.
She pointed to the extensive planning process for improvements to Richmond Highway (U.S. Route 1). While the Arlington County government was extensively involved in the effort, VDOT owns the roadway.
Throughout discussions about creative ways to support pedestrians and bicyclists, “it was VDOT that would always say, ‘Nope, we do not do that,'” Palmer said. “Things like narrowing the lane widths or a raised pedestrian crosswalk.”
Palmer pressed for VDOT’s support in embracing creativity in design improvements.
“Is there some way we can expand that toolbox to meet the needs of our vulnerable road users?” she asked.
Mitter said VDOT’s goal is to consider “the context in each intersection and in each crosswalk to accommodate as many needs as possible.”
“It depends on a case-by-case basis,” Mitter said. She noted that one proposal floated by advocates for Route 1 — speed bumps — was unfeasible because of the speeds involved.
In addition to Route 1, the following roadways in Arlington are under state control:
- Interstate 66: Custis Memorial Parkway
- Interstate 395: Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
- Va. Route 27: Washington Boulevard (Memorial Bridge to U.S. Route 50)
- Va. Route 110: Richmond Highway (Rosslyn to Crystal City)
- Va. Route 120: Glebe Road (Potomac Avenue to Route 1 in Crystal City)
- Va. Route 123: Chain Bridge Road
- Va. Route 124: Spout Run Parkway (Langston Blvd to Lorcom Lane)
- Va. Route 233: Airport Viaduct
- Va. Route 237: Washington Boulevard (N. Glebe Road to Langston Boulevard)
- Va. Route 309: Old Dominion Drive
- U.S. Route 29: Langston Blvd
- U.S. Route 50: Arlington Blvd
Some other roads, such as GW Parkway, are under federal control.
Ambar Pankaj, who chairs the Pedestrian Advisory Committee, said it was helpful to have a VDOT representative engaging in discussions with the two panels.
“We’ve got a group of really passionate people who would like to help you out with anything,” he told Mitter.
