South Walter Reed Drive Complete Streets Improvements

Location

South Walter Reed Drive from 5th Street S to Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204  View Map

Status

In 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. 

Proposed improvements:

• 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

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.

Improvements include:

• 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

Phase 2

Updated Project Scope

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.

• Fall 2020 - Virtual Open House
  • A virtual open house was held in September 2020
    • Project background and goals
  • Feedback received on existing conditions
• Spring 2021 - Concept Design Open House
  • A virtual community meeting was help in April 2021
    • Meeting recording (video)
    • Meeting slides
    • Questions submitted
    • APS Career Center Existing Conditions Analysis to review the traffic count data that helped develop the concept design; Additional traffic count data on signalized intersections was also used
    • Engagement feedback summary    
• Spring 2022 - Revised Concept Design Open House
  • A virtual community meeting was held in March 2022
    • Revised Concept
    • Meeting recording (video)
    • Meeting slides
  • Engagement feedback summary

• Project Update - 2022
  • Learn about  anticipated construction impacts
  • Target construction completion is fall 2024

Phase 1

• 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

• 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. 

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