VDOT News - Northern Virginia

ARLINGTON – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a third virtual public information meeting Monday, Nov. 14 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 multimodal traffic analyses, potential bus stop relocations and status of grant funding.

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 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. Phase 2 of the study is:

• Updating multimodal counts and analyses
• Developing 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
• Examining the feasibility of a potential pedestrian underpass or overpass at 18th Street South
• Expanding on the feasibility analysis of the recommended at-grade configuration from Phase 1
• Reviewing 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
• Studying a potential 25 mph speed limit in coordination with Arlington County’s Vision Zero Action Plan

Route 1 carries 43,000 vehicles per day in the Crystal City and Pentagon City area.

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 Monday, Dec. 5:  

• Attend the Monday, Nov. 14 online Register at virginiadot.org/Route1MultimodalStudy or to participate without registering in listen-only mode, call 877-568-4108 (use access code 251-644-971). 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 [email protected].
• 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 spring 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

                                                                                    END

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.