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.
County Board members have authorized the submission of three transportation improvement projects worth a combined $46 million for possible state funding.
The three proposals will now vie in the next round of “Smart Scale” funding, with winning projects receiving funding starting in 2029. They concern Arlington Blvd ramps, pedestrian facilities along N. Glebe Road and an intersection with an I-66 off-ramp.
Efforts to improve pedestrian safety amid a planned redevelopment project could bring a reduction to the number of lanes on Wilson Blvd just west of Arlington.
In the Seven Corners area, west of the Arlington/Fairfax county line, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation has floated the idea of reducing westbound Wilson Blvd from two lanes to one.
The future of increased parking rates along Arlington’s commercial corridors is expected to go before the County Board later this month.
The Board is on track to decide whether to eliminate the “performance parking” pilot project or make the rate changes for about 4,500 parking spaces permanent.
Arlington’s snowplows have progressed through about three-quarters of the county’s residential roadways, though frigid temperatures after the heavy snowfall continue to pose challenges.
County Manager Mark Schwartz asked for residents’ patience and understanding as the county continues to plow streets, noting the unusual difficulties crews are facing.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has declared a state of emergency ahead of this weekend’s snowstorm, which is expected to bring power outages along with heavy accumulation throughout Virginia.
The newly inaugurated governor signed an executive order today declaring an emergency “due to severe winter weather,” with the most severe impacts expected Saturday and Sunday. The D.C. area is likely to get more than 5 inches of snow, with double-digit accumulation also possible, according to a Winter Storm Watch issued today.
Arlington’s Pedestrian Advisory Committee is pressing county and state leaders to do more to keep public walkways clear after winter storms.
Committee members have agreed to send a letter with a list of suggestions to County Manager Mark Schwartz, hoping to potentially improve conditions this winter or in future years.
Preparations are underway for a wintry weekend in Arlington, with at least 1-3 inches of snow looking likely Saturday night into Sunday.
While some snow flurries are possible today (Friday), the accumulating snow in the forecast for later this weekend has brine trucks out on the roads in Arlington.
Arlington’s county manager is holding off on a firm stance regarding local control of roads currently controlled by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
County Manager Mark Schwartz told the Arlington County Civic Federation that he hasn’t ruled out the idea of the county assuming responsibility for Glebe Road and Langston Blvd, which are among the network of local roads under state control.
Planned changes to the easternmost leg of Langston Blvd include efforts to improve safety for bicyclists and reduce backups onto I-66.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released a set of six conceptual sketches at Langston Blvd intersections between N. Lynn Street and N. Veitch Street. The agency is seeking more public feedback as part of an attempt to strengthen safety and operations along the busy road and the nearby Custis Trail.
A second left-turn on Langston Blvd could help ease a major rush-hour traffic choke point in East Falls Church, county staff believe.
Later this month, County Board members will be asked to request $1.5 million from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for another turning lane from eastbound Langston Blvd onto westbound Washington Blvd adjacent to Interstate 66.
Arlington officials say they’re aware of deficiencies affecting pedestrians and bicyclists along stretches of N. Glebe Road between I-66 and Langston Blvd.
“The sidewalks belong to a different era — terrible and definitely not adequate,” County Board Chair Takis Karantonis said on Saturday.
