Local riders who travel around the Vienna Metrorail Station should be aware that the Vaden Drive bridge over I-66 is scheduled to close for approximately 10 months beginning on or about Friday, October 18, 2019. The closure of the bridge, which is a critical bike connection, is related to the construction of a new bridge as part of the I-66 Outside the Beltway Express Lanes project. You can find information on the closure here.
Unfortunately, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has not provided information about a bicycle detour for the area. During the last public meeting about the project, VDOT officials announced that cyclists should follow the motor vehicle detour, but FABB judges that this is an extremely dangerous option. We pointed out to the VDOT staff that following the motor vehicle detour involved using Saintsbury Drive, Virginia Center Boulevard, and Nutley Street, which carry heavy traffic around the metro station.
We recommend that cyclists use the pedestrian detour, which makes use of the Metro station bridge. Riders would have to walk their bikes across I-66, but this will be a safer alternative. VDOT has announced that the station bridge would be open around the clock every day of the week. If you have a better recommendation for cyclists transiting the area, please let us know at [email protected].
