VDOT illustration of possible over- and underpasses.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is holding a Design Public Hearing on the Richmond Highway Widening Project on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the auditorium/cafeteria at Mount Vernon High School, 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road, in Alexandria.
VDOT is working to improve safety, reduce congestion, and help increase the community’s multimodal options along about three miles of Richmond Highway (Route 1) from Jeff Todd Way to Sherwood Hall Lane (Route 626). The project will widen Richmond Highway from four to six lanes, add separate bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides of the road, and reserve median width to accommodate Fairfax County’s future dedicated bus-only lanes. Other improvements will include making all pedestrian and bicycle facilities ADA-compliant, extending turn lanes wherever possible to improve safety and capacity, and optimizing signals throughout the corridor. Currently in design, the project is scheduled to begin construction in 2023.
During a VDT presentation to the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce in February VDOT specifically solicited feedback on whether people would use the proposed bike/pedestrian underpasses. This and future design hearings probably will unveil important details that cyclists need to know and then speak up to VDOT to share their ideas and improve the bicycle facilities included in the project.
