Environmental Services
Meade Street Bridge Alternatives Study
Current Status
The Meade Street Bridge Alternatives study was an engineering design exercise to develop enhancements that focused on pedestrian safety for the bridge, its approaches, and adjacent intersections. Goals of the study were to manage existing and future vehicular volumes, while improving pedestrian and bicyclist mobility and safety throughout the area. The final product of the study is the preferred concept plan (PDF) which was presented to the community in early 2012.
Funding/Costs:
- No funding has yet been identified for construction of this project.
- The estimated cost for the preferred concept plan (PDF) is approximately $5 million, which includes:
- all the hard scape changes necessary to make the proposed pedestrian safety improvements ($1.2 million)
- new street and sidewalk lighting ($765,000)
- aesthetic improvements to the bridge and its approaches ($310,000)
- rebuilding the bridge deck to accommodate the proposed plan ($850,000)
- maintenance of traffic during construction and other mobilization costs ($930,000)
- 25% adjustments and contingency ($1 million)
- The cost estimate does provide for the structural and electrical infrastructure necessary to support the "Luminous Bodies" associated with the "Corridor of Light" public art project, but does not include costs for construction or installation of the sculptures.
Reviews/Approval by Multiple Jurisdictions:
- A significant portion of the project area is within National Park Service land. This will necessitate federal agency reviews and approval from NPS before construction can proceed.
- The preferred concept plan will now go to VDOT for a "conceptual project review". This will help flag design issues that may need further refinement or those that will require a higher level review.
Study Background
A study by the County’s Transportation Division began in January 2011 to assess a host of safety, accessibility and functionality improvements for the Meade Street Bridge, located in the Rosslyn section of Arlington County. Three different concept alternatives were designed as part of the study before one final "preferred concept plan" was developed in early 2012.
Design concepts focused on improving:
- Pedestrian access and safety
- Bicycle access and safety
- ADA compliance
- Vehicular circulation
- Pedestrian, bicycle & motorist way finding (signage & markings)
- Traffic controls
- On-street parking
- Transit access, bus shelter design and location
- Landscape and visual character
- Aesthetic improvements to the bridge structure
- Lighting
- Streetscape treatments
- Public art locations
It is anticipated that a redesigned bridge and approaches will improve safety on the bridge, and enhance the overall pedestrian experience between Rosslyn and the Iwo Jima Memorial.
Community Involvement
Third and Final Public Meeting - June 23, 2011:
The third and final public meeting of the Meade Street Bridge Alternative Study was held on Thursday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of this meeting was to view and comment on the proposed plan for safety and pedestrian access improvements to the Meade Street Bridge and surrounding area. The final plan will serve as the foundation for a proposal to seek funding to further design and build improvements.
Second Public Meeting - March 22, 2011:
A second public meeting was held on Tuesday, March 22nd in the evening. The purpose of this meeting was to review the design alternatives developed by the County's consultants and solicit feedback from the community. From this feedback the design consultants are currently developing a final design plan.
First Public Meeting - January 10, 2011:
The first public meeting about the study was held on January 10th to introduce the design study to the community and solicit input regarding problem areas and ideas for design alternatives.
- Presentation on the Meade Street Bridge Alternatives Study - Jan. 10th Planning & Design Open Forum
- Summary of the Jan. 10th Planning & Design Open Forum
Questions?
For more information on this study, contact David J. Goodman RA/AICP, Arlington County Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs Manager, at 703.228.3709 or via email.
