transportation | ARLnow.com

Satisfaction with public transit depends on where you live in Arlington, survey finds

Published October 5, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated October 5, 2022 at 6:09PM

A bus parked at a new bus bay outside of the Ballston Metro station (file photo)

(Updated 6:00 p.m.) A new survey shows that a majority of Arlingtonians are satisfied with public transit, but their levels of satisfaction vary by geography.

Mobility Lab, a division of Arlington County Commuter Services, surveyed county residents last year to gauge travel patterns for work and non-work trips as well as concerns about public transit. This “state of the commute” survey was last conducted in 2010 and 2016, and the 2021 results included additional information about the pandemic’s effect on travel in Arlington.

News

Proposed bicycle-pedestrian bridge over Potomac receives $20 million in federal funding

By Jo DeVoe

Published September 30, 2022 at 1:45PM

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) is joined by elected officials while announcing $20 million in funding for a pedestrian and bicycle bridge into D.C. from Long Bridge Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A proposed bridge for bicyclists and pedestrians between Crystal City and the Southwest Waterfront area of D.C. has received $20 million in federal funding to move forward.

When complete, the 16-foot-wide shared-use path will connect Long Bridge Park and East and West Potomac parks via the Mount Vernon Trail.

News

Construction at Ballston Metro station could finish next month

By Jo DeVoe

Published September 15, 2022 at 10:45AM

A bus parked at a new bus bay outside of the Ballston Metro station (file photo)

An end date is in sight for construction work around the Ballston Metro station.

After two years of navigating the active work site and catching the bus from temporarily relocated stops, transit riders could have access to the updated transit facilities and adjacent public areas sometime next month.

News

Some ART bus rides could be free for users starting this month

By Jo DeVoe

Published September 13, 2022 at 3:55PM

An ART bus and driver (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Metrorail riders could soon enjoy free transfers to Arlington Transit (ART) buses.

The Arlington County Board this Saturday is set to consider covering bus trips for SmarTrip card users who start their one-way trips on the Metro.

News

Speed limit reductions may be coming to more high-traffic roads in Arlington

By Jo DeVoe

Published September 12, 2022 at 1:45PM | Updated September 12, 2022 at 4:31PM

A view of the Air Force Memorial from Joyce Street and Columbia Pike (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) A handful of main roads in Arlington may be getting speed limit reductions.

At its meeting this Saturday, the Arlington County Board is slated to vote to advertise a potential reduction in the speed limit on four arterial streets, per a staff report.

News

County is lassoing e-scooters, bicycles with new corrals

By Jo DeVoe

Published September 9, 2022 at 1:30PM

Micro-mobility corrals in Ballston (staff photo)

The Wild West of e-bikes and e-scooter parking is being tamed.

Last month, Arlington County began installing 100 special street parking spaces for shared and private micro-mobility devices. And shared transportation providers such as Bird, LINK and new arrival Veo are footing the bill.

Around Town

Chicago-based Veo is bringing 400 e-bikes to Arlington

By Matt Blitz

Published September 6, 2022 at 11:30AM

Veo e-bikes at the corner of Wilson Blvd and N. Rhodes Street in Rosslyn (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

Hundreds of additional e-bikes are arriving in Arlington.

The Chicago-based Veo is in the process of deploying 400 new e-bikes across the county. It’s the latest e-bike company to move into Arlington, joining Lime. Next month, Veo will also launch 300 e-bikes in Alexandria.

News

County seeks input on new designs for stretch of S. George Mason Drive

By Mavis Chan

Published July 26, 2022 at 3:30PM

The existing condition of the intersection between S. George Mason Drive and Arlington Blvd (via Google Maps)

Members of the public can weigh in on proposed improvements to a stretch of S. George Mason Drive that’s being studied.

The road renovation project from Arlington Blvd to the Fairfax County border is part of the South George Mason Drive Multimodal Transportation Study, which aims to “identify improvements” along this “key corridor,” according to the project’s website.

News

Arlington is collecting feedback on Military Road roundabout while considering next step

By Brandi Bottalico

Published June 1, 2022 at 3:55PM

The temporary roundabout on Military Road in 2021 (staff photo)

A temporary roundabout along Military Road has garnered strong feelings as a deadline for community feedback nears.

The pilot project at Military Road and Nelly Custis Drive launched in October, with bollards in place to direct traffic around the center, and has reduced speeds on all approaches, according to data the county recently released. Benefits to pedestrians are less clear, as vehicle rates were varied and there were small sample sizes for pedestrian crossings.

News

Roosevelt Bridge rehab expected to bring new paint job and wider sidewalks

By Matt Blitz

Published June 1, 2022 at 10:45AM | Updated June 2, 2022 at 12:09PM

Traffic on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge at the exits for Route 50 and the GW Parkway in 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated on 6/2) Wider sidewalks may be coming to a major Potomac River crossing.

The long-awaited rehabbing of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, one of the main thoroughfares connecting Arlington to D.C., will result in a new paint job, updated overhead lights, and significant widening of sidewalks, a new D.C. Department of Transportation report says.

News

Va. congressional delegation puts weight behind Route 1 proposal

By ARLnow.com

Published May 24, 2022 at 9:45AM

Renderings from JBG Smith of a surface-level Route 1 through National Landing (Image via JBG Smith)

Members of Congress from Virginia are pushing the federal government to help fund proposed changes to Route 1.

The changes, while still being hashed out by VDOT and local officials, would lower elevated portions of Route 1 through Crystal City to grade, turning it into a lower-speed “urban boulevard.” VDOT is also mulling at least one pedestrian bridge or tunnel at 18th Street S., near the Metro station, to improve safety.

News

County Manager proposes $3.9 billion, 10-year infrastructure plan

By Brandi Bottalico

Published May 19, 2022 at 3:55PM

Arlington County staff present the details of County Manager Mark Schwartz's $3.9 billion CIP for 2023-32 (via Arlington County)

From a new Columbia Pike library to a dedicated pickleball court, County Manager Mark Schwartz’s proposed 10-year $3.9 billion capital improvement plan would fund projects across Arlington.

The first 10-year plan for capital projects in four years would budget for infrastructure projects between 2023 and 2032. The CIP proposal, slated for adoption in July, is a 40% increase from the plan approved four years ago, Schwartz said in his presentation to the County Board Tuesday.