VDOT News - Northern Virginia

ARLINGTON – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a second virtual public information meeting Tuesday, June 21 on a feasibility study identifying enhanced multimodal connectivity and accommodations along Route 1 (Richmond Highway) from 12th Street South to 23rd Street South to meet the changing transportation needs of the Crystal City and Pentagon City communities. The meeting will also include an overview of conceptual options and types of elements for potential inclusion in the design of the public space along the street within the corridor.

Recommendations from the first phase of this study include converting the segment of the elevated urban freeway between 12th Street South and 20th Street South to an at-grade urban boulevard with wide spaces along Route 1 for sidewalks, lighting and other amenities along Route 1 for pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers and transit users.   

The second phase of the study is further exploring the feasibility of the at-grade roadway recommended in the first phase. Over the next year, Phase 2 of the study will:

• Update multimodal counts and analyses
• Develop a comprehensive transportation demand management (TDM) strategy aimed at reducing vehicular trips through the area and mitigating congestion and potential diversion of traffic onto local and regional roads
• Examine the feasibility of a potential pedestrian underpass or overpass at 18th Street South
• Expand on the feasibility analysis of the recommended at-grade configuration from Phase 1
• Review the 23rd Street South intersection with the recommendations of Arlington County’s Vision Zero Action Plan for any potential interim improvements that could be implemented ahead of the second phase of the county’s 23rd Street South Realignment project and street improvements by the development community
• Study a potential 25 mph speed limit in coordination with Arlington County’s Vision Zero Action Plan

Route 1 carries more than 45,000 vehicles per day in the Crystal City and Pentagon City area based on 2019 data.

Get Involved

In lieu of an in-person meeting, VDOT invites residents and travelers to learn more, participate in the virtual meeting and give feedback in the following ways through Friday, July 15:  

• Attend the Tuesday, June 21 online meeting. Register at virginiadot.org/Route1MultimodalStudy or to participate without registering in listen-only mode, call 877-568-4108 (use access code 528-854-340). The study team will make a short presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m. followed by a question and answer period.
• Provide comments via the online survey or by email to route1multimodalstudy@vdot.virginia.gov.
• Mail comments to Mr. Dan Reinhard, P.E., Virginia Department of Transportation, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.

Phase 2 of the study is scheduled for completion in early 2023. This study will not set design or construction dates.

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

VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT Civil Rights at 703-259-1775.

Follow VDOT Northern Virginia on Twitter: @vadotnova

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