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Shirlington Road Bridge Improvements and Addition

Location

Shirlington Road between Arlington Mill Drive and Four Mile Run Drive., Arlington, VA 22206 View Map

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Status

Construction

Construction for the new pedestrian bridge parallel to the main bridge is underway. The bridge is being manufactured off-site and will be installed in the summer of 2024, and is anticipated to open in the fall of 2024.

Shirlington Road Pedestrian Bridge Location.png

Project Update - July 2024

The bridge structure was installed in late June. Crews will continue work on the deck, surrounding utilities, and other construction in the area through completion of the bridge.

Watch the Bridge Installation

Lane Closures Starting July 29

See the Detour

Crews will be conducting work on sidewalks, curb ramps, and crosswalks throughout the intersection of South Arlington Mill Drive and Shirlington Road.

During this time, lanes and sidewalks nearest to each construction activity will close for a few hours, or a few days depending on the task. Work will take place during business hours on weekdays.

While crews are at work, heed all signs and proceed with caution.

About the Project

This project upgrades and maintains the existing bridge over Four Mile Run, adds a pedestrian and bicycle bridge to the west of the existing bridge, and implements improvements to the area surrounding the intersection of Shirlington Road and South Arlington Mill Drive.

Improvements to Existing Bridge

Bridge maintenance work on the surface of the Shirlington Road Bridge was completed in September of 2022.

This work accomplished the following project goals:

Increased safety by upgrading the guardrail system to meet current standards
Prolonged the life of the bridge by performing routine maintenance
Improved condition of the bridge pavement by repairing the deck surface
Widened the sidewalk from 4-5 feet to roughly 7 feet on the west side of the bridge
Improved access between Green Valley and Shirlington
Improved the refuge median at the midblock crosswalk near 27th Street South

New Parallel Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge

New, 15 foot wide pedestrian and bicycle bridge, with entrance and aesthetic design coordinated with Jennie Dean Park.
The bridge will be located about 17 feet west of the original bridge, connecting from the South Arlington Mill Drive sidewalk to Jennie Dean Park
- See the final design for the new bridge

Streetscape Improvements

Arlington Mill Drive and Shirlington Road Crosswalk Improvements

Provide addition trail width to the existing Four Mile Run Trail as it connects to the new bike/pedestrian bridge to facilitate merging
Redesigned curb and crossing to allow drivers, pedestrian and cyclists to see each other better and support slower, more controlled vehicular turns

Pedestrian Crossing Improvements Near the Four Mile Run Trail/27th Street S

Additional Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon (RRFB) in median to improve visibility of crossing (completed summer/fall 2023)
Wider pedestrian ramps to better accommodate crossing users (12 feet) (completed spring/summer 2022)
Wider refuge median to provide more space for people waiting to cross (7 feet) (completed/spring summer 2022)

Crews completing final maintenance tasks on the Shirlington Road Bridge surface, summer 2022.

Public Process

The project team engaged with the local community during the planning phase of the project.

Online Open House - January 2021

To provide a project update, including how community feedback helped refine the advanced concept, the project team hosted a virtual meeting and question and answer session. For those unable to attend, the meeting materials are included below.

View a recording of the presentation
Presentation slides

Community feedback was collected online between January and February of 2021.

View community feedback summary.

Online Open House - March 2020

To help the community learn more about the project, ask questions and share feedback, the project team hosted an online open house. For those unable to attend, the meeting materials are included below.