South Walter Reed Drive Complete Streets Improvements
Location
South Walter Reed Drive from 5th Street S to Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204 View Map
StatusIn Design
About the Project
Phase 2
Phase 2 includes capital improvements at 9th Street South and tactical improvements from 5th Street South to Columbia Pike. This phase received funding for design and engineering in the short-term Capital Improvement Plan approved by the County Board in July 2020.
Project Goals:
- Provide better connectivity for people walking and biking by improving bike facilities and pedestrian crossings through tactical improvements
- Reduce complexity at 9th Street South by realigning the intersection
- Allow controlled access to and from 9th Street South by signalizing the intersection
Final Concept Update – Spring 2023
The concept design shared in November 2022 has received additional updates as the project team works to finalize the design. The changes are consistent with planning guidance and community feedback heard through the three engagements.
The project will be put out to bid in summer 2023, with anticipated construction to begin in fall 2023. Arlington County Staff are coordinating with the APS Career Center project and the schedule is subject to change.
Final Concept Update Summary
Summary of changes from the November 2022 version to the April 2023 final concept:
- The southbound bike lane is at sidewalk level between 6th Street S and 7th Street S, rather than being buffered.
- The design protects provides consistent protection for people biking while retaining on-street parking and reducing maintenance challenges.
- The striped median space has been reduced between 8th Street S and 9th Street S to facilitate a shorter crossing distance at 8th St S and increased planting space from 8th St S to 9th St S.
- Proposed trees are included. The exact number of trees are subject to change based on final engineering.
- Final location of Capital Bikeshare station will be determined based on ongoing coordination with Capital Bikeshare and APS.
Final Concept Update Documents
Final Concept - Winter 2022/23
Winter 2022 Concept Design Highlights
-
Relocates the midblock bus stop closer to 8th Street S. to improve rider safety and access as well as bus headways.
-
Provides protected and buffered bike lanes to improve safety and access of people biking between 7th and 9th Streets S.
-
Provides a buffered bike lanes between 6th and 7th Street were added to the final concept as an interim condition.
- Design review determined that the revised final concept, which included protected bike lanes, presented conflicts between driveway sightlines and parking, as well as with trash, recycling, and service needs.
- Buffered bike lanes provide an enhanced facility over existing conditions while helping to balance multimodal needs across the corridor.
- A subsequent capital project is being considered for this block, with the goal of improving accessibility for people walking and biking, by providing sidewalk-level improvements.
-
Reconfigures driveway access near 8th and 9th Streets S. to provide safer access to private parking, reduce crossing distances for people walking and reduce intersection complexity for all transportation network users.
-
Provides more consistent travel lane widths and pocket turn lanes at 9th Street S. and 7th Street S. to improve the safety and predictability of people driving.
-
Provides approximately 104 parking spaces, a net gain of 2 spaces from existing conditions.
Design updates from revised concept (spring 2022) to final concept (winter 2022)
-
Added additional green space and permeable surfaces in response to community feedback:
-
Removed raised median on 9th Street west of the intersection to ensure safety and access of larger vehicles turning, such as school buses and fire trucks.
-
Added two-stage left turn bike boxes at 9th Street intersection to facilitate turn movements for people biking on the 9th Street Bike Boulevard.
- Added wider sidewalks from 9th Road South to Columbia Pike to improve pedestrian and transit rider safety and access based on community feedback.
- In this section, widening the sidewalks reduces on-street parking by five spaces from revised concept design.
- As noted above, the final design provides approximately 104 parking spaces, a net gain of 11 spaces from existing conditions.
Winter 2022 Concept Design Documents
Phase 1
Phase 1 is the intersection of 5th Street South/South Fillmore Street/South Walter Reed Drive. This phase started construction in December 2020 and was completed in spring 2021.
Design Improvements
- Redesign the intersection geometry at 5th Street South and Walter Reed Drive to increase safety for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and transit users
- Install new striping and signage
- Replace existing curb ramps with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps
- Improve bus stop location and infrastructure
- Improve water quality with the installation of bio-retention infrastructure at the intersection of South Walter Reed Drive and 5th Street South
Public Process
Fall 2020 - Virtual Open House
As part of the approved short-term Capital Improvement Plan approved by the County Board in July 2020, the Phase 2 project scope was updated to include capital improvements at 9th Street South and tactical improvements from 5th Street South to Columbia Pike.
Spring 2021 - Concept Design Open House
Spring 2022 - Revised Concept Design Open House
A virtual community meeting was held in March 2022
Engagement feedback
Phase 1
Engagement
- March 2016 - A meeting was held with the Penrose and Arlington Heights civic associations
- October 2009 - A Corridor Comparison Study was conducted following the restriping of South Walter Reed Drive between 5th Street South and Columbia Pike
Original Project Scope
Original Project Scope
- Community reviews occurred during the development of the 30 percent design plans
- March 2016 - A meeting was held with the Penrose and Arlington Heights civic associations: Community Briefing Presentation
- October 2009 - A Corridor Comparison Study was conducted following the restriping of South Walter Reed Drive between 5th Street South and Columbia Pike
Funding
Both phases of this project are using Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) local funds for design and construction.
Photo Gallery