Earlier this week, the Fairfax City Council discussed proposals to cancel the George Snyder Trail project or to change this bike-pedestrian project’s scope. Council members failed to agree on any of the proposed alternatives raised by opponents of the trail, which allowed the city to stay the course by default.
As of now, the city will continue to acquire the needed land and preparations for a construction bid approval. Most of the project’s $17.6 million budget comes from a concession fee that the I-66 Outside the Beltway toll lanes operator agreed to provide for transportation improvements in the corridor.
In a statement to the press, FABB board member Bruce Wright expressed the group’s encouragement by the decision, noting that the project filled a critical missing link in the regional bicycle network. Based on comments from local riders, Wright thought that the trail will be a much-used resource for the residents and the community at large.
FABB thanks everyone who spoke up in support of the George Snyder Trail. There are no easy paths to better bicycling infrastructure. People always seem able to find reasons to oppose change and, absent strong shows of support by riders, walkers, and others, bike-ped projects are always at risk.
Want to help make bicycling better in Fairfax County? Join FABB!
