Arlington Kicks Off Environmental Review for Crystal City
Published on July 13, 2021
Arlington County, in coordination with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), has initiated a study to explore the possibility of providing a multimodal connection between Crystal City and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
An online community meeting on July 15 will serve as the public kick-off for the study, which is anticipated to take approximately three years to complete.
This connection could provide a safe and convenient way to reach the airport from Crystal City and vice versa, while also creating and enhancing connections between the airport, the relocated Virginia Railway Express commuter rail station, and the Mount Vernon Trail. It would be designed to meet the needs of people walking, biking or using micromobility devices.
The study will identify a reasonable range of alternatives for the connection and assess the potential impacts of these alternatives on the environment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The study also will consider the potential effects of the connection on historic resources, such as the George Washington Memorial Parkway, in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
As a first step, Arlington County and VDOT must establish the purpose of, and need for, the proposed connection. On Thursday, July 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the County will host an online meeting to introduce the study to the public. The meeting will kick off a 30-day period during which the County will seek public input to inform the development of the study's purpose and need.
This study is separate from a feasibility study finalized in early 2018 by the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID), now the National Landing BID. The vision presented in the feasibility study does not commit Arlington County or VDOT to any specific course of action for the connection, including its location and design.
Additional public engagement activities will occur during the duration of the study. Future opportunities for public information and feedback will be advertised through the study web page and other media.
Learn more about the project
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