VDOT Route 1 Multimodal Improvements Feasibility Study – Is this what we want for Route 1 in 22202?

As part of the agreement with Amazon for HQ2, the Commonwealth of Virginia identified improvements to Route 1 as one of five transportation projects to be fully or partially funded by the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth’s commitment to Amazon is to improve safety, accessibility, and the pedestrian experience crossing Route 1.

VDOT is studying the feasibility of bringing Route 1 “down to grade” at 15th and at 18th streets, then comparing this concept to the Crystal City Sector Plan for these intersections and to making improvements only to existing conditions. Project goals are improving safety for all modes; increasing multimodal accessibility and accommodation; making transit more accessible, reliable, and convenient; maintaining an appropriate level of vehicular operation and accommodation; preserving, protecting, or enhancing the built, natural, visual, and social environment; and integrating Route 1 into the Crystal City and Pentagon City urban fabric as a multimodal urban boulevard.  Survey results, background studies, and meeting reports are all available through the project website: http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/route_1_multimodal_improvements_study.asp

VDOT is about halfway through the feasibility project at this point.  They have published their existing conditions study and shared a preliminary concept for bringing Route 1 down to grade at 15^th with the project Task Force on February 25^th and during their Public Information Meeting on March 3.  This “down to grade” proposal for 15^th includes 6 southbound lanes and three northbound lanes, with a number of potential turn lanes as shown in this illustration in Jane Green’s ArlNow article, Making Room: Route 1 Bait and Switch:

The only project goal that is fulfilled by this proposal is maintaining traffic throughput.  We would be less safe, especially if walking or cycling.  Multimodal accessibility and accommodations are not improved, and transit would not be more accessible or convenient.  The environment would not be improved, and the urban fabric would remain torn.  The proposed concept does not support the Commonwealth’s commitment to Amazon is to improve safety, accessibility, and the pedestrian experience crossing Route 1.  The proposed concept is for an urban highway that dangerously cuts through our neighborhood.  This is not an urban boulevard.  This is not acceptable. The community should demand better.

However, during the March 3 public meeting, VDOT also showed a “down to grade” intersection at 15^th that only had 7 lanes (4 and 3) – so a bit of an improvement, but still a challenge for pedestrians and not really an urban boulevard.  VDOT also noted that they would prefer to either bring both 18^th and 15^th down to grade or leave both up.  We had asked them to consider a hybrid – 15^th down and 18^th left up.  VDOT talked a lot about how they need to balance competing needs (e.g., through traffic vs. pedestrian safety) – and that that balancing had not yet been done, nor have they applied their 12 Measurements of Effectiveness to each concept.    They appreciate receiving community feedback on concepts presented so far and will apply community feedback to their decision making.

How has Livability 22202 responded to VDOT Plans?

The Livability 22202 coalition created a Route 1 Working Group to coordinate the Livability 22202 response to VDOT proposals.  Since last summer, the Working Group drafted goals, surveyed the community on use of and attitudes towards Route 1, and sponsored three public meetings about Route 1.  The Working Group presented its own proposals during these meetings, including at the February 22 meeting with VDOT staff.  The Working Group also coordinated a Livability 22202 response – a three-page letter with 19-page appendix – to the VDOT public presentation on December 16 and helped prepare a Livability 22202 letter sent on February 26 to Commonwealth representatives and the County Board.  Recordings from these meetings, slide decks, survey results, correspondence, and the VDOT response to the Livability 22202 letter and appendix are all available through the Route 1 Working Group website: https://livability22202.org/route-1-working-group/

What Can YOU Do?  

VDOT promised to post the meeting recording to their website shortly after the meeting.  Please review the meeting materials, then Send your comments about the proposal to VDOT by March 15. Use the online comment form, send an email, or write to the project director.  Copy your state legislators and the County Board.  Work with the Livability 22202 coalition to advocate for Route 1 modifications that achieve community goals.

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