transportation planning | ALXnow

Virginia Railway Express says month of free rides helped lure pre-pandemic riders back, but didn’t draw new crowds

Published November 2, 2022 at 10:30AM

A VRE train heading south through Potomac Yard (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) said in a report that the fare-free ride program created a noticeable bump in ridership during September, though it’s unknown how much that will linger post-promotion.

In a report (page 60) prepared for the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC), the VRE said the commuter rail service offering free rides in September caused a 21% increase in ridership. The promotion continued into October for Alexandria and areas further south during the ongoing Metro shutdown.

News

New city report says that the Seminary Road Diet is working

By James Cullum

Published November 1, 2022 at 3:30PM | Updated November 1, 2022 at 4:15PM

Seminary Road (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated 4:10 p.m.) Fewer crashes, reduced traffic volumes and more bike riders — a new report shows that the Seminary Road Diet is working.

The information comes from a Post-Project Implementation Evaluation by the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services. The evaluation shows has been a 41% reduction in crashes along the one-mile stretch of Seminary Road between North Howard Street and Quaker Lane since the road diet went into effect in 2019, according to a report released Tuesday (Nov. 1) by the city’s Department of Transportation & Environmental services.

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Alexandria lowers speed limits on major West End streets

By Vernon Miles

Published October 25, 2022 at 2:45PM

The City of Alexandria announced today that drivers will need to go a little slower in the West End.

City Manager James Parajon said, following the unanimous recommendation from the Traffic and Parking Board, speed limits on a handful of corridors on the West End — including some major ones like North Beauregard Street, Seminary Road and King Street — will be reduced by around 10 miles per hour.

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Public comment period closing on three Duke Street Transitway options

By James Cullum

Published October 24, 2022 at 2:35PM | Updated October 24, 2022 at 5:25PM

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

Alexandria planning staff say there’s no preferred option for the Duke Street transitway, but the three choices offer varying impacts on drivers.

This month, city staff have conducted meetings in a public engagement process to talk about the project and gather input on the three options before a plan is finalized for City Council to consider. City staff will conduct a final open house to discuss the entire project on Wednesday, October 26, at 5:30 p.m. at Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Avenue).

News

City considering new pedestrian bridge to connect West End with Landmark development

By Vernon Miles

Published September 26, 2022 at 2:45PM

Tentative location for Landmark pedestrian bridge (image via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria is looking into building a pedestrian bridge over I-395 to connect the Landmark Mall site to neighborhoods west of the highway.

Last week, the Transportation Commission reviewed a potential grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide funding to study the potential bridge.

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Why aren’t Metro shuttles using the Route 1 dedicated bus lanes?

By Vernon Miles

Published September 15, 2022 at 3:50PM

National Landing-Potomac Yard Metroway (image via Google Maps)

One of the many frustrations facing Alexandria commuters during the Metro shutdown has been buses stuck in traffic next to dedicated bus lanes, but WMATA says adding shuttles would overload the existing transitway.

Among the many frustrations, which included long lines for shuttles, commuters were left wondering why their buses traveling up Route 1 were stuck in mixed traffic next to the mostly empty bus lanes.

News

Alexandria reviewing options for new Duke Street transitway

By Vernon Miles

Published September 12, 2022 at 2:45PM

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

The City of Alexandria is eyeing three basic concepts for a Duke Street transitway to help boost bus service along the arterial road.

The three options presented at a meeting of the Duke Street Transitway Advisory Group last month ranged from the buses in the center of the street to mixed in with traffic. The options are:

News

WMATA vows to learn from past mistakes as Potomac Yard Metro station nears completion

By Vernon Miles

Published August 31, 2022 at 2:30PM | Updated August 31, 2022 at 6:39PM

Construction work at Potomac Yard Metro station, photo via City of Alexandria

(Updated 6:50 p.m.) As the Potomac Yard Metro Station nears the finish line, WMATA representatives told Alexandria leaders at a meeting this week they’re trying to learn from previous mistakes and avoid fumbling the ball this close to the endzone.

Alexandria will be cut off from the rest of the Metro system from Sept. 10 to Oct. 22 while WMATA works to bring the Potomac Metro station in line. At a meeting of the Potomac Yard Metrorail Implementation Work Group on Monday — where city staff also discussed additional commuter options — WMATA explained what will be going on inside the station during the shutdown.

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Alexandria looks to bicycles and boats to help replace Metro during shutdown

By Vernon Miles

Published August 31, 2022 at 1:30PM

While buses and trains are centerstage in efforts to replace Metro during an extended closure planned through earlier next year, Alexandria is also looking to bicycles and boats to help make up the difference.

Alexandria will be cut off from the rest of the Metro system from Sept. 10 to Oct. 22 as WMATA works to bring the Potomac Yard Metro station in line with the rest of the system. Then, from September through spring 2023, the Yellow Line Tunnel connecting Pentagon and L’Enfant Plaza stations will be closed for repairs, forcing Alexandria commuters to loop up into D.C. through the Blue Line.

News

VDOT announces new toll-option for 395-Seminary Road exit

By Vernon Miles

Published August 26, 2022 at 9:45AM

HOV-+3 exit at I-395/Seminary Road (photo via Google Maps)

The south-facing exit from I-395 onto Seminary Road has been for high occupancy vehicles (HOV) only since 2019, but solo drivers will have an option to take the exit ramp for a toll starting early next month.

The ramp off the express lanes currently has an HOV-3+ restriction, meaning the cars must have at least three occupants. Transurban, which operates the express lanes, said it is the only ramp along the corridor closed to toll-paying customers.

News

Alexandria releases guide to surviving the upcoming Metro shutdowns

By Vernon Miles

Published August 24, 2022 at 9:30AM

Construction work at Potomac Yard Metro station, photo via City of Alexandria

Like waiting for a Yellow Line train to Huntington, Alexandria’s Metrorail riders are bracing for a ride to disappointment.

Early next month, the first of two Metro shutdowns affecting Alexandria is scheduled to hit the city. All told, the city will have some level of suspended service until next spring.