Arlington Memorial Trail
In Design
StatusIn Design
The County project team is advancing development of the proposed trail alignment and is conducting a full NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) analysis and Environmental Assessment (EA) in coordination with the Arlington National Cemetery. The County anticipates completing the NEPA by early 2028. The EA phase will include public engagement to be led by the County project team.
About the Project
Connectivity for pedestrian and bike users through the part of Arlington County between Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Route 110, and the Pentagon is complicated by the combined barrier effects of secured federal facilities as well as a high-volume roadway network that includes Arlington Boulevard (US 50), Washington Boulevard (Route 27), Richmond Highway (VA-110), I-395, and George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Following on initial efforts under an agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD), the County is advancing analysis and design of a new, multiuse trail extending from Memorial Avenue to the realigned intersection of Columbia Pike and Washington Boulevard. This project will proceed under general coordination with the Arlington National Cemetery Southern Expansion (ANCSE) and the Defense Access Road (DAR) projects.
Key partners in this project include the Army National Military Cemeteries (Arlington National Cemetery), the Virginia Department of Transportation, the National Park Service, and the National Capital Planning Commission.
Project Background
The Arlington Memorial Trail seeks to create a key, north-south bike-pedestrian route past many of these barriers and links the major County corridors of Rosslyn-Ballston, Crystal City/Pentagon City, and Columbia Pike with Memorial Bridge to connect to the District of Columbia.
Planning guidance for the Arlington Memorial Trail is provided by the County Board’s adopted comprehensive planning efforts to reconnect neighborhoods and incorporates adopted neighborhood plans and transportation projects.
The County team will implement an engagement effort as part of the Environmental Assessment (EA) process.
Funding
To date, the County has provided funding to EFLHD for preliminary analysis, conceptual design, and project permitting. The County is currently applying for additional federal funding for final engineering design, procurement, and construction. The completed facility will be maintained by Arlington County as part of its ongoing trail network operations.