transportation planning

Braddock Road corridor bike and pedestrian improvements slated for city review this month

Published February 11, 2026 at 11:45AM

Yates Corner at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Braddock Road (Staff photo by James Cullum)

A proposal for new bike lanes, enhancements to pedestrian crossings and shorter crossing distances at key intersections on Braddock Road are up for review this month by Alexandria’s Traffic and Parking Board.

A city-recommended design concept calls for several Braddock Road upgrades between Russell Road and West Street. The city has worked on the Braddock Road Trail Access and Corridor Improvements project since last year as a response to concerns from Alex311, the 2023 Safe Routes to School walk audit at George Washington Middle School and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

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Alexandria hosting community workshops this week on Duke Street Land Use Plan

By James Cullum

Published January 21, 2026 at 11:45AM

Duke Street near Landmark and Cameron Run (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Two community workshops remain this week for Alexandria residents to learn more about plans to develop Duke Street and provide feedback to city leaders.

The Duke Street Land Use Plan is hosting workshops from 6:30-8 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) and tomorrow at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center at 4653 Taney Avenue. The first workshop was held last night (Tuesday).

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N. Va. Transportation Commission elects Bagley to lead as region seeks state funding approval

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 9, 2026 at 9:15AM

Sarah Bagley, second from left, and other members of the NVTC 2026 leadership (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Alexandria Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley assumed the top leadership spot of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) for 2026 last night (Thursday).

Bagley was unanimously elected chair of the regional body and will lead it during what is likely to be a pivotal year for transit funding across the area.

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City to discuss future land usage on Duke Street during work session tomorrow

By James Cullum

Published January 5, 2026 at 9:15AM

The Duke Street Land Use Plan will cover the area between Alexandria's Union Station and the former Landmark Mall property (via City of Alexandria)

The Planning Commission will host a work session tomorrow (Tuesday) on a draft plan for the future of Duke Street.

Still in its infancy, the Duke Street Land Use Plan is intended to guide city officials in the development of the Duke Street corridor from the former Landmark Mall to Alexandria Union Station. The document is expected to be ready for City Council consideration and adoption from late 2026 to early 2027, according to the city.

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VDOT open house to discuss proposed upgrades to S. Van Dorn Street at Alexandria border

By James Cullum

Published December 30, 2025 at 3:45PM

S. Van Dorn Street (image via Google Maps)

Recommendations for safety, transit, cyclist and pedestrian improvements on S. Van Dorn Street at the Alexandria border in Fairfax County will be open for public review next month.

After considerable public input earlier this year, the Virginia Department of Transportation has outlined improvement alternatives for the 2.5-mile stretch of roadway in the South Van Dorn Street STARS Study (Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions).

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Alexandria repaves nine streets this week

By James Cullum

Published October 14, 2025 at 12:15PM

Paving Operations (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is repaving several streets this week.

The city said that temporary “No Parking” signs will be displayed before work begins, and that businesses and residents in the affected areas got advance notice through project signs and letters. While street repavings are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment issues or utility work coordination, below is the listing of all the streets the city will repave between October 14 and October 17.

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Alexandria seeks public input on school crosswalk upgrades by Aug. 29

By James Cullum

Published August 18, 2025 at 6:30PM

Proposed pedestrian improvements outside Charles Barrett Elementary School and George Washington Middle School (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is asking for public feedback on plans to upgrade crosswalks near schools in Arlandria and Del Ray.

The city’s Crossing Improvements Phase II would transform the sidewalks around Charles Barrett Elementary School (1115 Martha Custis Drive) and George Washington Middle School (1005 Mount Vernon Avenue). The deadline to submit feedback on the plans is Friday, Aug. 29.

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AlexWest Small Area Plan wins top award

By James Cullum

Published June 30, 2025 at 3:15PM

Traffic backup heading eastbound along Duke Street (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s plan for the development of its West End just won a top award from the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA).

After years of discussion, the City Council adopted the AlexWest Small Area Plan last December. With the massive WestEnd mixed use development working to unveil several new buildings, and Inova at Landmark poised to open in 2028, the plan recommends significant expansion of Dora Kelley Nature Park, a new public park adjacent to the Winkler Botanical Preserve, and a new park at the corner of Seminary Road and N. Beauregard Street.

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Alexandria asks VDOT to delay adding express lanes to Woodrow Wilson Bridge

By James Cullum

Published June 9, 2025 at 3:48PM

The Virginia Department of Transportation's 495 Southside Study extends from the Springfield Interchange to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (via VDOT)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and city staff are asking that the Virginia Department of Transportation delay approval of a preferred alternative on a plan to add express lanes from the Springfield Interchange across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

In an April letter to VDOT, Gaskins wrote that the project will bring “Alexandria substantial consequences” to our local neighborhoods, and asked that an alternative not be chosen until a noise, traffic, and air safety analysis is conducted. VDOT and the Commonwealth Transportation Board, in the meantime, have set a timeline for the project.

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VDOT holding public hearing in Alexandria on plan to add express lanes to Woodrow Wilson Bridge

By James Cullum

Published June 4, 2025 at 1:30PM

I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study Map (via VDOT)

Plans to add two express lanes from the Springfield Interchange to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge will be discussed in a public hearing next week in Alexandria.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is holding four public hearings starting this week, the last of which will talk about the controversial 11-mile project at the Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center on Wednesday, June 11. VDOT has been evaluating the project for three years, and groups say that it will create traffic bottlenecks if implemented.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 16, 2025 at 3:30PM

Meal at Taqueria Poblano (via Taqueria Poblano)

It’s finally Friday in Alexandria!

Here’s a look back at our top stories of the week. Topping off our coverage are the delectable poll results on the top three Mexican restaurants in the city. More than 1,800 foodies cast their votes, and Taqueria el Poblano (2400B Mount Vernon Avenue) in Del Ray took the top spot, followed by Taqueria Picoso (1472 N. Beauregard Street) and Los Tios Grill (2615 Mount Vernon Avenue). Do you agree with the results?