The Springfield Connection recently published an article titled “Group Opposes Cinder Bed Bikeway,” which explains the arguments presented by the Friends of Accotink Creek against the project.
FABB supports the Cinder Bed Multi-Use Trail and firmly believes that it meets the ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan’s standard for best practices in environmental stewardship for all transportation projects. When complete, the trail will benefit all future users, whether they travel by bike, on foot, wheelchair, or other active transportation mode.
The Cinder Bed Road Bikeway project will provide a roughly two-mile shared-use path between Newington Road and the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station. The trail will be constructed along the west side of Cinder Bed Road, connect to an existing trail through Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) property, and then continue through private property to tie into the trail at the end of Barry Road that leads to the Franconia/Springfield Metro Station.
The proposed trail is included in the County Bicycle Master Plan and the Countywide Trails Plan (now combined into the ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan) and has been in the works for many years. Private development in the area and plans to widen Newington Road will add new multi-use paths to the area, greatly improving active transportation connectivity there.
Proposed Bridge Design.
FABB appreciates that Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk has worked with the community to address their concerns and find a viable route for this trail. We note that two pedestrian bridges included in the project are designed with longer spans “to minimize impacts to the Flood Plain of Long Branch.”
Without this connection, the existing patchwork of poorly maintained trails and on-road routes will discourage people from biking or walking to/from Metro. The trail will help address the county’s climate change goals by providing residents with an alternative to driving to Metro while at the same time allowing them to enjoy our local natural areas.
The county’s Trails, Sidewalks, and Bikeways Committee and the Capital Trails Coalition also have expressed their support for the Cinder Road project.
Again, FABB supports this proposed multi-use trail and appreciates the work being done by the county to make it happen. We encourage local riders, walkers, and others to voice their support.
Interested in advocating for more multi-use paths in your area? Join FABB by contacting us at [email protected].
