Virginia's Transportation Alternatives for 2014

Virginia released its final list of federal Transportation Alternatives projects for FY 2014. Formerly known as Transportation Enhancements, the TA program is one source of bicycle infrastructure funding. Local projects of interest to cyclists include. Oddly there is nothing in Arlington or Alexandria.

• Fairfax County 
  • Continuation of a shared-use asphalt-paved trail along Gunston Road connecting the Pohick Bay Golf Course and the main entrance to Mason Neck State Park
  • Construction of a shared-use trail connecting the Occoquan Regional Park and the Laurel Hill Greenway. The proposed segment will be approximately 1850' in length with an 18' cross section, including a 10' shared use path, a 4' natural surface path and the appropriate clear zones for an ADA compliant shared use path.
• Town of Vienna - Pedestrian improvements at the station and W&OD trail crossing including sidewalks, curb ramps and crosswalks.
• Town of Haymarket - Streetscape improvements along Washington Street including 5-foot on-street bike lanes on both sides of Washington Street

Comments

[JimT]

I think half the money goes to the COGs now, so we would expect the VA list to be shorter.

[Michael H.]

There are several current and upcoming construction projects in Arlington that will improve cycling in the county, even if they aren't on this particular list. Some are funded by VDOT, others by Arlington. Those include the Wash. Blvd. over Rte. 110, the Wash. Blvd. bridge over Columbia Pike, the Wash. Blvd./Courthouse Rd. trail, the Rte. 50/10th St. interchange, Crystal Drive two-way conversion, Long Bridge Drive reconstruction, Eads St. bike lanes and the now-complete Joyce St. sidewalks under 395.

Some of those projects are primarily road/bridge construction, but all of them should improve local bike infrastructure. I've been pleasantly surprised to see bike considerations included in the recent Arlington road projects. The only quibble is that it takes so long to build a new bridge that conditions will get worse during construction. A good example is on Columbia Pike under Wash. Blvd. where cyclists are now forced to cross Columbia Pike because of sidewalk closures. But that area will be more bike-friendly in a couple years.

[Michael H.]

NOTE: I believe the Joyce St. renovation was federally funded.