Although still some way off, plans are moving ahead to provide Tysons with a world-class urban trail for residents and visitors.- When complete, the circuit will be a valuable attraction for the city.
Last month the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors endorsed the circuit design guidance for the Tysons Community Circuit. The circuit is a proposed nearly 5-mile long multimodal recreational trail loop that will connect parks, civic uses, and major points of interest in and around Tysons.
County staff, property owners, the Tysons Community Alliance, and others developed the Tysons Community Circuit Design Guidance approved by the supervisors. The plan emphasizes a comprehensive approach to intersections and crosswalks to serve bikers, walkers, and rollers. The conceptual course is laid out primarily through areas designated for residential and residential mixed-use redevelopment.
Notional Urban Trail Design.
This trail, the first of its kind in Fairfax County, will provide multiple recreational, travel, and economic opportunities. The circuit fills a gap in options for recreational connectivity and enhances connectivity among parks, civic uses, and major points of interest across the Tysons area. The circuit concept includes amenities such as bicycle racks, bike repair stations, Capital Bikeshare docking stations, bike parking, scooter parking, and water fountains. The trail also connects the stream valleys and other off-road trail routes with Tyson’s network of urban parks along streets with planned on-road bike lanes.
The trail’s initial segment will be developed as part of The Boro’s ongoing expansion. Two recently completed bridges across I-495, the Jones Branch Connector and the new bicycle and pedestrian crossing connecting the Tysons Mall area to Old Meadow Road, ensure that the circuit will have continuous connectivity.
The Tysons Community Circuit is another step forward by county officials and planners in making bicycling and walking better in Fairfax County.
