Washington Boulevard & 13th Street Improvements

Location

Washington Boulevard from Wilson Boulevard to North Kirkwood Road (including the 13th Street North intersection), Arlington, VA 22201  View Map

Status

Construction

Construction  Update - May 2023

Paving of Washington Boulevard and and 13^th Street North was completed the first week of May 2023. We expect the new traffic signal to be operational in summer of 2023, together with new pavement markings.

Furniture will be installed in the green space during the summer. Bamboo eradication will be an ongoing task in the area north of the new North Johnson Street, and treatment for the elimination of bamboo will take place over the summer and fall.

Construction Update - November 2022

Starting November 18, contractors will be starting construction on a new north sidewalk on 13th Street North, and be installing equipment for new signals, curb and gutter to accommodate the upcoming realignment of the street. This work is anticipated to be completed by the end of December 2022.

During this time, 13^th Street North between North Jackson Street and Washington Boulevard will be one-way only in the southbound direction. The northbound lanes will be closed. Drivers should use alternate routes to travel northbound.

Also, the north sidewalk on 13^th Street North between Washington Boulevard and North Jackson Street will be closed starting November 18, until the end of December. Pedestrians should cross at North Kirkwood Street or North Jackson Street and use marked detours and temporary crosswalks.

See the Detour Map

Construction Update – October 2022

Sidewalk Demolition and Reconstruction

Crews will be demolishing and reconstructing the southern sidewalk on Washington Boulevard between North Kirkwood Road and Wilson Boulevard and will finish work approximately the week of November 28, weather permitting.

During this work, the sidewalk will be closed and all pedestrian traffic will be routed to the north sidewalk via the crosswalk at North Kirkwood Road, and a temporary midblock crosswalk west of the Wilson Boulevard intersection.

During work hours, people should expect to hear the sounds of concrete demolition and construction; work hours will be Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. 

See the pedestrian detour

About the Project

Washington Boulevard and 13th Street North is being redesigned to implement the Clarendon Sector Plan recommendations of providing two lanes of travel in each direction and eliminating the reversible lane signals. The intersection is being rebuilt so the Washington Boulevard lanes align on both sides of 13th Street North. This will provide a more conventional “T” intersection. 

At their Feb. 20, 2021, meeting, the County Board approved a contract to Sagres Construction Corporation for the construction of streetscape improvements and utility undergrounding along Washington Boulevard and 13th Street North. Construction started in spring 2021 and is expected to last for 18-24 months.

Design plan

Design analysis for this intersection was performed as part of the development of the Clarendon Sector Plan and, more recently, the Clarendon Multimodal Transportation Study.

The design for the Washington Boulevard and 13th Street North project is one element of the Clarendon West development that was approved by the County Board on Oct. 20, 2015. The Traffic Impact Study for that development provides background information and traffic analysis for intersections and streets within and outside the project boundaries. In 2018 the County requested the site developer update their previous traffic analysis to verify vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle volumes. The update was completed to reflect current development plans and parking ratios for the development area.

Project goals include:

• Providing four lanes and eliminating the traffic-controlled reversible lane
• Reconfiguring Washington Boulevard and 13th Street North to become a “T” intersection
• Providing public open space for a future 13th Street North and Washington Boulevard park
• Wider sidewalks and improved pedestrian crossings
• Undergrounding utilities
• Upgrading traffic signals
• Installing new Carlyle streetlights
• Planting new street trees

Public Process

Project updates have been shared with the Clarendon Alliance and surrounding neighborhood community groups.

• January 2018 - Clarendon Circle and Adjacent Improvements Update

Funding

The project's total estimated cost is approximately $6.4 million. Funding comes from local commercial and industrial taxes dedicated to transportation as well as developer contributions. 

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