VDOT | ARLnow.com

New study says at-grade Route 1 could cause pedestrian dangers, traffic headaches

Published November 16, 2021 at 10:10AM

Current view of Route 1 (via National Landing BID)

The state’s idea to lower elevated segments of Route 1 through Crystal City could cause more injuries to pedestrians and chronic congestion, according to a new report.

This summer, the Virginia Department of Transportation officially decided to turn Route 1, which is elevated over 12th, 15th and 18th Streets S., into an at-grade urban boulevard. It would feature wide buffered sidewalks on both sides, six to seven narrowed travel lanes, a 30-mph speed limit, wide crosswalks, landscaping and medians with pedestrian refuges.

News

Video shows drivers reversing on I-395 to access Express Lanes and avoid minor backups

By Jo DeVoe

Published November 4, 2021 at 3:45PM

Two cars back up and turn left on I-395 to get to the Express Lanes, circles and arrows added by ARLnow (via Dave Statter/Twitter)

Reckless drivers are regularly backing up on I-395 to get to the Express Lanes, despite bollards placed to prevent it.

Video has captured a number of drivers getting onto northbound I-395 from the Route 110 ramp, near the Pentagon, then driving in reverse to get around bollards that block access to the high-occupancy toll lanes. In return for driving the wrong way on a major highway, the drivers get to save a couple of minutes by avoiding minor traffic backups in the main lanes of the 14th Street Bridge.

Traffic

VDOT Fixes a Capital Mistake Along Route 50

By ARLnow.com

Published September 14, 2021 at 9:30AM | Updated September 15, 2021 at 2:13PM

A misplaced capital T has been replaced by a lowercase letter along Route 50 (photo courtesy Robert B.)

A minor typo along Route 50 in the Rosslyn area has been fixed, to the relief of local pedants.

A directional sign along westbound Route 50 (Arlington Blvd), as one travels through the Rosslyn and Courthouse areas, has long read “14Th Street.” Just days after the error was pointed out to VDOT on social media, the erroneous capital-T was finally replaced late last week.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 24, 2021 at 7:30AM

Delayed Reopening for N. Glebe Road — From VDOT: “Update: Due to last week’s inclement weather, the new reopening date for Glebe Road is Monday, Aug. 30 at 5 a.m.” [Twitter]

Arlington Paralympian Competing in Tokyo — “Sydney Barta of Arlington is competing in four track and field events this week and next at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Barta, a 17-year-old student at National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., will be competing in the 100-meter, 200-meter, discus throw, and shot put throw.” [Patch]

Traffic

Flooding to ‘Significantly’ Delay Reopening of N. Glebe Road

By ARLnow.com

Published August 20, 2021 at 1:45PM | Updated August 23, 2021 at 4:59PM

Flooding of Pimmit Run below the N. Glebe Road bridge replacement project (via VDOT)

Update at 5 p.m. on Aug. 23 — Glebe Road is now expected to reopen on Monday, Aug. 30.

Update: Due to last week's inclement weather, the new reopening date for Glebe Road is Monday, Aug. 30 at 5 a.m. https://t.co/7loMmBkoGF

Traffic

Get Ready for a Nine-Day Closure of Glebe Road

By ARLnow.com

Published August 9, 2021 at 9:40AM | Updated August 23, 2021 at 3:22PM

N. Glebe Road bridge over Pimmit Run (photo courtesy VDOT)

Update at 3:25 p.m. — The closure has been extended due to flooding at the construction site.

All lanes of N. Glebe Road between Military Road and Chain Bridge Road, in the northern tip of Arlington, will be closed for construction starting Friday.

News

JUST IN: Arlington Woman Killed in Route 50 Crash

By ARLnow.com

Published July 10, 2021 at 5:45PM

Fatal two-vehicle crash on Route 50 at N. Manchester Street (photo courtesy anonymous)

A serious two-car crash Friday evening on Route 50 has claimed the life of an Arlington woman.

Police say the crash happened shortly after 5 p.m. at the intersection of Route 50 (Arlington Blvd) and N. Manchester Street. Two cars, each with two occupants, collided at the intersection, pinning a 63-year-old woman who was a passenger in one of the vehicles.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 29, 2021 at 5:00AM

YHS Lax, Other Teams Cap off Stellar Seasons — “The spring sports season was a busy and successful time, maybe the most accomplished ever, for high-school varsity teams and individuals in Arlington County, with many winning various championships. That spring campaign ended this weekend with some Virginia High School League Class 6 state championship games. One contest included the undefeated Yorktown Patriots in the boys lacrosse title match, which they won.” [Sun Gazette, Washington Post]

Neighborhood Leaders Don’t Like Route 1 Plan — “A coalition of civic associations representing surrounding neighborhoods suggests that a pending Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) report on improvements in the Route 1 corridor could turn out to be an ‘epic fail’ that does not address key issues. As a result, leaders of the organizations are urging the Arlington County Board to ask VDOT to go back to the drawing board and consider their concerns.” [Sun Gazette]

Traffic

Expect Delays Heading To and From Chain Bridge

By ARLnow.com

Published June 23, 2021 at 9:30AM | Updated June 23, 2021 at 10:22AM

N. Glebe Road bridge over Pimmit Run (photo courtesy VDOT)

If you’re heading to or from Chain Bridge on N. Glebe Road today or tomorrow, expect delays.

VDOT’s ongoing rehabilitation work on the Pimmit Run bridge — west of Chain Bridge and Chain Bridge Road — is prompting lane closures from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Flaggers will alternate the traffic flow between Military Road and Chain Bridge Road during that time, likely causing delays.

News

VDOT Recommends At-Grade Route 1, Study of Pedestrian Crossings

By Jo DeVoe

Published June 17, 2021 at 1:30PM

Slide from a VDOT presentation on its recommendations for Route 1 (via VDOT)

It’s official: The Virginia Department of Transportation recommends turning Route 1, which is elevated over 12th, 15th and 18th streets, into an at-grade urban boulevard.

“An at-grade configuration for Route 1 provides most desirable characteristics that meet the multimodal and community vision for National Landing,” according to presentation materials from a virtual VDOT meeting Wednesday.

News

New Renderings Show Vision For Surface-Level Route 1

By Jo DeVoe

Published May 20, 2021 at 11:45AM | Updated May 20, 2021 at 12:31PM

A rendering of Route 1 where it intersects with Glebe Road (Photo courtesy National Landing BID)

(Updated at 12:20 p.m.) New renderings from the National Landing Business Improvement District explore what Route 1 would look like if it were surface-level.

These images of protected bike lanes, pedestrian refuges and prominent crosswalks are part of a campaign the BID launched this week touting the benefits of transforming the highway — which is elevated over 12th, 15th and 18th streets — into an at-grade urban boulevard.

News

County Board to Consider Changes to Busy Lyon Park Intersection

By Matt Blitz

Published March 16, 2021 at 10:30AM | Updated March 16, 2021 at 10:59AM

(Updated at 11 a.m.) The Arlington County Board is set vote this Saturday, March 20 on a nearly $1 million project to improve the intersection at N. Pershing Drive and Washington Blvd.

The busy intersection in Lyon Park lacks accessible curb ramps and has narrow sidewalks, long crossings and outdated bus stops, per the county manager’s report, creating a harrowing experience for many pedestrians and cyclists.