Speak Up for improvements to proposed bike lanes on Ellenwood Drive.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold an online community meeting on Tuesday, February 28, at 7 pm on proposed paving and restriping changes on Ellenwood Drive between Arlington Boulevard and Route 29 in Fairfax. To reduce the paving backlog and take advantage of recent warmer winter weather, the anticipated start date for this project is set for March.
On the plus side, the planned bike lanes offer a good connection between two main arterials and will connect to portions of the planned Arlington Boulevard Trail. FABB is concerned, however, that the planned 5-foot bike lane runs between parked cars and a 10-foot through lane. The danger from possible dooring and from drivers failing to change lanes or allow 3 feet distance when passing because the bicyclists are in the lane seems likely to discourage use of this unprotected facility.
FABB encourages local riders to participate in the meeting to raise these concerns and ask for safety fixes.
You can participate in the virtual meeting online via Microsoft Teams.
You also can join by phone at 571-429-5982 with access code: 778 926 888#.
You also can provide comments via email through 12 pm (noon) on March 3 on the project webpage at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/2023-paving-and-restriping-program/ellenwood-drive.
Find out more about the planned bike lanes by viewing the meeting presentation here.
Other meetings for VDOT’s annual paving and restriping program begin in April, so watch FABB’s social media for details.
