ANCC Trail Connector
StatusIn Design
The project team is currently in design development of the preferred stairs-with-runnel concept in preparation for a final concept design, anticipated in Spring 2024.
Location
The project is located along an easement that lies parallel to I-395, extending from 13th Rd. South at Hoffman-Boston Elementary School down to the I-395 underpass along Memorial Drive and extending to the intersection at Army Navy Drive.
About the Project
This project has passed through several early site planning stages over the years, extending from the 1994 Bicycle Transportation Plan, approved CIP funding in 2018, to the MTP Bike Element and Public Spaces Master Plan, both adopted in 2019. The Pentagon City Sector Plan adopted in early 2022 has provided additional planning support for adjacent multimodal enhancement projects like the ANCC Trail Connector project.
The project will provide a new trail connection between Memorial Drive at the ANCC entrance gate and 13th Road South. at the Hoffman Boston Elementary School campus. At the level of implementation, the goal is to improve multi-modal connectivity between the Arlington View and Arlington Ridge neighborhoods that are presently separated by Shirley Memorial Highway (I-395).
As a guide for design, the project will demand a novel approach to reclaiming the “lost space” of the project site, which is characterized by a narrow, linear easement with a steep grade change near its terminus at Memorial Drive.
Public Process
The project team has engaged the public to communicate differing scenarios for potential design development and to solicit feedback based on the scenarios presented. These preliminary scenarios have been thoroughly vetted by County engineering staff based on site survey data, studies of built precedents across the U.S. and other countries, preliminary calculations of trail slope, cut/fill analysis, potential structural elements, and user safety requirements.
Future key milestones for the project will include public engagement to communicate the final design, and to provide updates on procurement and construction timelines.
Fall 2023 - Project Update Open House
In November 2023, the project team joined staff from other nearby projects for a community open house for transportation projects in the Arlington View and Arlington Ridge neighborhoods. At the open house, attendees could learn more about the projects and speak with project managers about how we got here and what next steps are coming.
For this project, we shared 15% Design drawings of the preferred stair-and-runnel concept, which will connects the Arlington View and Arlington Ridge neighborhoods and link the trail connection with a forthcoming cycletrack on Army Navy Drive from Memorial Drive into the heart of Pentagon City.
Spring 2022 - Preliminary Alternatives
On April 27, 2022, the project team hosted a virtual public meeting to re-introduce the project to the community, cover the project background, history and goals, and walk through two preliminary design alternatives that have been advanced for community review and comment.
The project team accepted input through an online feedback form open for three weeks following the meeting. That feedback is now informing the project team as they work to select a concept to advance to the design and engineering phases.
A summary of what we heard is available below.
Engagement Summary
Engagement Resources:
Funding
This project is entirely locally funded through the Transportation Capital Fund using local commercial and industrial (C&I) taxes, as well as NVTA Local funding.
Photo Gallery