After years of study and community input, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has unveiled its long-term vision for Gallows Road—and it’s a big step forward for safer, more accessible biking and walking in our region.- FABB is encouraging local riders to show their support and provide their ideas at two FCDOT in-person public meetings this month.
What’s Proposed?
FCDOT’s Preferred Alternative would bring nearly continuous all-ages-and-abilities bicycle facilities along Gallows Road, along with wider sidewalks, landscape buffers, and improved bus operations. It’s designed to serve everyone—people biking, walking, taking transit, and yes, driving—while reducing traffic stress and improving comfort throughout this critical corridor.
Northern Segment (Route 7 to I-495): A cycle track along the west side, an 8-10 foot shared-use path on the east, and planted street trees to calm traffic.
Middle Segment (I-495 to I-66): Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes to improve bus reliability, keeping the cycle track and adding wider sidewalks.
Southern Segment (I-66 to Columbia Pike): A shared-use path on the west side to handle both bicyclists and pedestrians. With limited space, the design incorporates a three-lane road (one lane each way plus a center turn lane) to create room for better buffers and trees.
Overall, the plan means safer, more inviting options for everyone traveling Gallows Road—whether you’re biking to work, walking the kids to school, or catching a bus.
What Did the Assessment Show?
Bicycles: The bicycle level of traffic stress would be dramatically reduced. Dedicated cycle facilities along most of the corridor mean Gallows could finally work for riders of all ages and abilities—no longer forcing cyclists into dangerous shared lanes.
Safety: While transit- and pedestrian-focused alternatives could have provided slightly more crash reductions, the Preferred Alternative still shows significant decreases in crash risk along the corridor.
Why It Matters for Biking
FABB has been advocating for years to make Gallows Road a safer, more bike-friendly corridor. From our initial input back in 2019 to our support for separated bike lanes and pedestrian improvements in past meetings, we’ve consistently championed a design that moves beyond just cars.
This is exactly the kind of project that can transform how people get around Fairfax County—connecting Tysons, Merrifield, Inova, and Annandale with safe, convenient facilities for biking and walking.
Upcoming Meetings: Your Chance to Shape the Future
FCDOT is now presenting these proposals to the public, and we need local riders to show up and speak up. It’s critical that cyclists, pedestrians, and transit supporters attend to keep the momentum going. Here’s where you can make your voice heard:
Meeting 1 – NORTH & MIDDLE SEGMENTS (Route 7 to I-495)
- Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 6 p.m.
- Kilmer Middle School Cafeteria, Vienna
Meeting 2 – SOUTH SEGMENT (I-495 to Columbia Pike)
- Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 6 p.m.
- Woodburn Elementary School Cafeteria, Falls Church
Visit the project website for more details and materials: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/study/gallows-road
We’ve come a long way from Gallows Road just being another car-centric arterial. But these plans need public support to become reality. Join FABB at one of the meetings, bring a friend, and help us secure a safer, more connected future for biking in Fairfax County.
Want to do even more? Contact us at [email protected] to get involved in our advocacy. Together, we can make sure Gallows Road becomes a model for multimodal transportation done right.
