transportation planning | ALXnow

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

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?

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VDOT asking for feedback on improving S. Van Dorn Street at Franconia/Alexandria border

By Vernon Miles

Published March 3, 2025 at 11:30AM

S. Van Dorn Street (image via Google Maps)

The Virginia Department of Transportation could be bringing changes to S. Van Dorn Street in Franconia, just south Alexandria, including possible bicycle/pedestrian improvements.

A Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions (STARS) study is set to complete next year and, as part of that study, VDOT is collecting feedback on what roadway improvements should prioritize.

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Safety improvements coming to West End street where multiple children have been struck by drivers

By Vernon Miles

Published February 25, 2025 at 2:50PM

Sanger Avenue (image via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria could finally be making safety improvements to the West End’s infamous Sanger Avenue.

At a meeting of the Traffic and Parking Board last night (Monday), the Board unanimously backed a series of changes aimed at improving safety on Sanger Avenue between North Beauregard Street and Van Dorn Street.

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Alexandria leadership bracing for cuts to federal grants and funding

By Vernon Miles

Published February 20, 2025 at 3:55PM

Planning Director Karl Moritz at the City Council meeting on Tuesday (image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria relies on federal funding for a lot of projects, from housing and pre-k programs to transportation improvements. But with the new administration spearheading an effort to slash that funding, local leaders say the city is watching closely to see how those cuts will affect Alexandria projects.

The discussion took place on Tuesday night during the City Council’s discussion of the Long-Range Planning Interdepartmental Work Program.

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Capital Bikeshare ridership in Alexandria hit new record high last year

By Vernon Miles

Published February 20, 2025 at 2:45PM

Capital Bikeshare in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Capital Bikeshare network saw ridership in Alexandria hit a new high last year with 132,567 trips in the city.

This was a 26% increase over 2023, which had previously set the record for ridership.

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New VPRA work in Alexandria could bring long-awaited bridge and tunnel replacements

By Vernon Miles

Published January 23, 2025 at 11:50AM | Updated January 23, 2025 at 2:40PM

Telegraph Tunnel location (image via City of Alexandria)

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) has a series of capital projects in the region on the horizon could benefit rail service in the area but have some additional impacts for Alexandria specifically.

In a memo (page 9) from Hillary Orr to the Transportation Commission ahead of a meeting yesterday, Orr said the VPRA is working on installing a fourth track along the rail corridor between Witter Field in Alexandria and the Arlington Aquatic Center.

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What is the most dangerous street in Alexandria?

By Vernon Miles

Published December 11, 2024 at 11:40AM

Duke Street was closed at S. Walker Street down to N. Ripley Street, where a motorcyclist died after crashing into a DASH bus, April 9, 2024 (staff phjoto by JAmes Cullum)

Traffic safety advocacy group Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS) compiled crash data from 2021 to 2024 and put together a ranking of the city’s most dangerous corridors with one standing out in particular.

The ranking looks not at the number of crashes, but the number of total casualties — from visible and non-visible injuries to severe and fatal crashes — reported by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

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Divided City Council backs roadway changes near Cameron Station

By Vernon Miles

Published November 25, 2024 at 3:05PM | Updated November 25, 2024 at 3:31PM

Pickett Project Area Map (image via City of Alexandria)

Last week, Alexandria’s City Council voted to move forward with a plan to convert the four-lane S. Pickett Street near Cameron Station to one lane in each direction for much of the road, adding bike lanes and on-street parking.

The plan created considerable consternation among neighbors who expressed concerns that the changes would create cut-through traffic in the Cameron Station neighborhood. The outrage was reminiscent of the response to Seminary Road bike lane changes.

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Alexandria to pursue $3.5 million in grant funding for significant bus stop improvements

By Vernon Miles

Published November 18, 2024 at 1:15PM

Bus stop with bus bulb and curb cut in front of the stop (image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is seeking $3.5 million in state funding for a new feature that could improve bus stops across the city.

Hillary Orr, deputy director of the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, said in a letter to the Transportation Commission that the city is proposing to apply for a grant from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) improvement program and the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP).

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Duke Street changes stir ‘tough decisions’ argument on Alexandria City Council

By Vernon Miles

Published November 14, 2024 at 4:10PM

Duke Street and Cambridge Road intersection (image via Google Maps)

An argument over major roadway changes left City Council members, like drivers at the Duke Street and Cambridge Road intersection near Bishop Ireton High School, stuck at a messy impasse.

As the City of Alexandria’s been working through the Duke Street In Motion plans — an overhaul of Duke Street with a bigger focus on transit, cyclist and pedestrian safety — the intersection of Duke with Cambridge Road has been a sticking point.