transportation planning | ALXnow

Alexandria Mayor echoes transit advocates’ concerns about Woodrow Wilson Bridge toll lanes

Published June 26, 2024 at 2:55PM

Cars travel westbound I-495 on the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge (via Google Maps)

On paper, the plan to add toll lanes to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge doesn’t preclude the possibility of adding Metro access one day, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson joined the Coalition for Smarter Growth in expressing concerns that the new express lanes would make future rail plans unfeasible.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is currently considering converting a portion of the bridge reserved for future HOV/express bus/rail transit into toll lanes. VDOT said future transit could be implemented by shifting one thru lane to a local lane and reducing to one express lane in each direction. But Wilson said Alexandria has had a history of legal fights over the bridge, the notable one being a lawsuit that resulted in the bridge being 10 lanes instead of 12.

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Council to consider moving dozens of city staff to AlexRenew headquarters

By James Cullum

Published June 25, 2024 at 3:30PM

AlexRenew headquarters (via Alexandria Renew Enterprises/Facebook)

City Council will consider a lease agreement tonight to move a portion of the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services to a 5,600-square-foot office space at AlexRenew Headquarters.

The city’s wastewater authority at 1800 Limerick Street finished construction of its headquarters in 2016, and was designed for expansion on the fifth floor.

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Access road next to Bradlee Shopping Center gets chopped up in new proposal

By James Cullum

Published June 21, 2024 at 2:15PM | Updated June 21, 2024 at 7:34PM

The second alternative for a one-way conversion and short-term improvements on King Street between S. Taylor Street and Menokin Drive (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s Traffic and Parking Board will consider converting the two-way access road next to the Bradlee Shopping Center on upper King Street to a one-way roadway and adding bike lanes.

City staff has outlined three alternatives for the access road between S. Taylor Street and Menokin Drive. The effort began last fall with city staff looking at ways to improve mobility and safety, as well as reduce standing water with stormwater treatment improvements.

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Metro slowing above-ground train speeds due to heat wave

By Vernon Miles

Published June 20, 2024 at 3:40PM | Updated June 21, 2024 at 9:39AM

The Potomac Yard Metro station (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

WMATA will be slowing its above-ground trains due to the extreme heat.

In a release, WMATA said rail temperatures are measuring in at 135 degrees and can cause problems for the rail lines.

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City taking feedback on plans to overhaul King Street near Bradlee Shopping Center

By Vernon Miles

Published May 7, 2024 at 3:50PM

King Street-Bradlee Safety and Mobility Enhancements Project area (image via City of Alexandria)

An upcoming meeting will give locals a chance to weigh in on the city’s plans to make changes to King Street where it runs past the Bradlee Shopping Center.

The city is considering adding bike lanes and an additional sidewalk — none exists on the northern side of the street. A few alternatives are being considered for the service road that runs parallel to King Street, including two-way traffic with transit improvements or one-way traffic with a bus lane.

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Traffic and Parking Board backs Lynhaven roundabout but cans one-way street reversal

By Vernon Miles

Published May 2, 2024 at 3:45PM

Glebe Road/Montrose Avenue/Ashby Street intersection conversion (image via City of Alexandria)

The Traffic and Parking Board endorsed one intersection change that could make Lynhaven/Del Ray a little safer but did not approve the proposed reversal of a one-way street.

The proposed changes reviewed at the meeting earlier this week were:

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Pedestrian improvements proposed for four intersections along Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria

By James Cullum

Published April 26, 2024 at 1:30PM

Proposed roadway changes along Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria (via City of Alexandria)

Medians, reduced crossing distances and curb extensions are just a few of the roadway changes being proposed for four intersections with Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria.

The preferred design options are meant to improve mobility, safety and access issues at the intersections of Mount Vernon Avenue at Glebe Road, Russell Road, Executive Avenue, and Four Mile Road. The options will be presented at the Traffic and Parking Board’s April 29 public hearing.

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Alexandria sets its sights on Eisenhower Avenue overhaul

By Vernon Miles

Published April 24, 2024 at 3:45PM

Eisenhower Avenue (image via Google Maps)

Eisenhower Avenue’s days at the hot-spot for local drag racing could be coming to an end soon.

At a Transportation Commission meeting last week, Senior Transportation Engineer Dan Scolese laid out plans to potentially reduce lanes at the western end of Eisenhower Avenue to install new bicycle lanes and improved transit options.

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Alexandria seeking community feedback on bike lanes and other changes to West End street

By Vernon Miles

Published April 22, 2024 at 9:55AM

S Pickett Street project scope (image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is seeking community feedback on a series of changes to South Pickett Street in the West End, including new pedestrian safety measures and protected bike lanes.

The project would cover S. Pickett Street from Duke Street down to Edsall Road. That route along the West End Village shopping center, Hillwood Condominiums, and ends near Samuel Tucker Elementary School.

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One-third of Alexandria’s workforce works from home

By Vernon Miles

Published April 16, 2024 at 10:45AM

ALXnow editor's work from home setup (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Of the 96,993 working Alexandrians, 30% of them work from home (30,015 people), according to the US Census.

United States Census data collected from 2022 provides a detailed breakdown of how Alexandrians travel to work.

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Planning Commission chair says Alexandria needs to step up its federal grants game to make transit corridors a reality

By Vernon Miles

Published April 12, 2024 at 10:50AM

Van Dorn Street (image via Google Maps)

If Alexandria wants the transit corridors it dreams of, Planning Commission Chair Nathan Macek said it’s going to need to do more to secure federal funding.

In a budget discussion at the Planning Commission meeting last week, Macek noted that there is “no plan to pursue federal money” for two of the major transit corridors in the city budget.