VDOT News - Northern Virginia

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) invites the public to review the draft report for the first phase of study of potential multimodal improvements on U.S. Route 1 (Richmond Highway) in Crystal City. The study, which focuses on the corridor between 12th Street South and 23rd Street South, will continue into a second phase later this year.

Over the last year, in coordination with Arlington County, VDOT has studied the feasibility of options to improve the safety, accessibility and overall experience of all users on and across Route 1 in this area. The study is the first step toward identifying a multimodal project along Route 1, to meet the changing transportation needs of the Crystal City and Pentagon City communities.

The first phase of the study included review of potential options along the Route 1 corridor, with analysis, proposed design elements, and concepts for future build conditions. The study included input received from a public survey and three public meetings. The preliminary recommendation proposed converting Route 1 from an elevated highway to an at-grade urban boulevard and was presented at the third public information meeting in June.

The public is invited to provide comments on the full draft report through Sept. 30, 2021. Comments may be emailed to route1multimodalstudy@vdot.virginia.gov or mailed to Mr. Dan Reinhard, P.E., Virginia Department of Transportation, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030. Comments on the draft will be recorded and incorporated into the final report, expected to be posted in October. 

The study’s second and final phase will begin later this year, and will further develop the recommended concept and continue to gather input through additional public meetings, opportunities for dialogue and review. Elements proposed for study in the second phase include plans to update multimodal traffic counts and analysis; develop details of a Travel Demand Management strategy to reduce congestion and mitigate traffic to local roads; examine the feasibility of a pedestrian underpass or overpass at 18th Street; and, study the feasibility of lowering the speed limit to 25 mph as well as additional safety strategies related to pedestrian and bicycle safety. Additional elements may also be included based on input received during the current comment period. As the study’s scope and schedule are finalized, coming opportunities for public input will also be announced.

ABOUT THE STUDY 

The Route 1 Multimodal Improvements Feasibility Study is the first step toward identifying a project for enhanced multimodal connectivity and accommodations along Route 1, between 12th Street South and 23rd Street South, to meet the changing transportation needs of the Crystal City and Pentagon City communities.

As this area's commercial and residential densities continue to increase, transportation plans will need to address the wide-ranging needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists and other users while maximizing safety, convenience and sustainability of the system for decades to come.

At this time, construction funding has not been allocated, so the study will not set design or construction dates.

For more information on the study and past meeting materials, visit virginiadot.org/route1multimodalstudy.

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