Image courtesy of Fairfax County Department of Transportation
If you had to pick three words to describe Richmond Highway, the words modern, walkable and green probably don’t come to mind – but they might in the next ten years.
At a meeting on Tuesday evening, Fairfax County presented an update on the long-term project to redesign the Richmond Highway corridor to have a boulevard feel and be more bike, pedestrian, public transit and environmentally-friendly.
This transformation includes the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and road widening projects. Fairfax County Supervisor for the Mount Vernon District, Dan Storck called the projects “the future of Richmond Highway.” Supervisor Rodney Lusk, of Lee District, said, “I’m excited for the opportunities the BRT will bring to Richmond Highway,” and he praised the project for its potential to bring better office, retail and housing along the corridor.
The first two phases of the BRT project involve the construction of nine stations along the highway between Huntington Metro Station and Fort Belvoir. Later, phase three will extend stations further south into Prince William County, and phase four will eventually extend the yellow line of the metro from Huntington to Hybla Valley.
The BRT project is separate but connected VDOT’s widening of three miles of Richmond Highway between Jeff Todd Way and Sherwood Hall Lane from four lanes to six lanes. The extra space will accommodate the proposed center bus lanes for the BRT line.
The BRT project expects to wrap the environmental review process by early 2021 and is currently preparing for right of way acquisition which will begin in the first half of 2021 and continue through 2025. The first utility related construction is not expected until 2023 and revenue service is expected in early 2030.
Image courtesy of Fairfax County Department of Transportation
Design for the project is 30 percent complete but the County is looking for public input in order to finalize the concept for the BRT stations. The stations platforms will be 140 feet long with a covered platform that is 70 feet. There are currently two proposed design concepts for the stations, one of which will be selected in Spring 2021 by County supervisors and other project decision makers.
The first concept is inspired by the area’s military and aviation history with a cover that resembles an airplane wing. The design is light, open and sleek with materials that reflect motion, nature and connection.
Image courtesy of Fairfax County Department of Transportation
Concept 1
The second concept is influenced by the area’s history and its position as a gateway and is described as simple but bold. The station canopy resembles a peaked roof or porch reminiscent of the mid-century modern houses and George Washington’s Mount Vernon which are iconic examples of architecture along the corridor.
Image courtesy of Fairfax County Department of Transportation
Concept 2
Neighborhood charm will be incorporated into whichever design concept is chosen through art, pavement materials and windscreen designs.
Members of the public can review the two concepts in further detail and provide feedback here through Dec. 18.
