If you've driven on Route 1 South or the GW Parkway during the evening rush hour, you already know the problem: The roadways turn seas of slow-moving vehicles.
Now, add tens of thousands of people traveling to the Potomac Yard neighborhood, heading to sports games and other events that start at 7 p.m.
Traffic and parking have been one of the biggest concerns residents have brought up since city and state officials and Monumental Sports and Entertainment leaders announced plans to build a professional sports arena in Potomac Yard. (The other major concern, of course, is whether taxpayers will be on the hook for it.)
Last night, those leaders announced plans to handle the influx of people (and their cars), and the plan includes up to $215 million from the Commonwealth for improvements. In an official announcement released an hour before a virtual listening session with residents, $135-215 million in "transportation enhancements and operating costs identified will come from transportation budgets from the Commonwealth over the next several years."
The Commonwealth of Virginia paid for a study by Kimley Horn, an engineering firm with offices across the United States (including Richmond, Virginia). In a report titled "Project Potter," the firm noted that funding should go to enlarging the Potomac Yard Metro station to handle crowd traffic by adding faregates, additional escalators, ticket vending machines and capacity on pedestrian bridges. Funding should also go toward improvements to local intersections.
The traffic study was based on sold-out games at the new arena and "worst-case scenario" situations for traffic in the surrounding area. The study also included notes on what other "peer arena" areas do to manage traffic, including increased rail and bus service before and after games, marketing the promote park-and-ride options, bus accommodations and more.
The multimodal improvements the engineering firm suggests are aimed at achieving at least 50% non-auto transportation to the proposed Sports and Entertainment District. (While the arena itself is proposing just 2,500 parking spaces, city officials pointed out there are multiple other public garages nearby and just one Metro stop north in National Landing/Crystal City).
The main objectives of the proposed multimodal strategies are:
- Aligning the timing and amount of rail and bus service with the demand of event attendees and staff
- Identifying potential pinch-points in Metro capacity during peak event flows
- Improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and access
- Maximizing use of available parking at Metro stations and other off-site shuttle-accessible locations
- Facilitating safe and efficient flow of buses/shuttles through dedicated lanes and signal technology
- Leveraging technology to provide clear, real-time transit and travel information.
Driving and Parking
The study also assumed that most traffic will be coming from the District and Maryland, mostly north and northeast of the proposed arena. Most of that car traffic will arrive via Route 1 and from the Glebe Road exit off of I-395. Those taking the GW Parkway to the arena are likely to use Slaters Lane to cut across the Route 1 North.
The number of adjacent parking spaces accessible to the arena, in combination with parking management strategies (e.g., resident permits, enforcement) in the city will mitigate neighborhood impacts, according to the study. "The number of adjacent parking spaces accessible to the arena, in combination with parking management strategies (e.g., resident permits, enforcement) in the city will mitigate neighborhood impacts." (The study noted there are 3,600 parking spaces available in the Crystal City area and drivers can use park-and-ride, bus, car service or other mobility options to access the stadium.)
“We are very encouraged by the results of this study by a nationally renowned expert in transportation,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard “Shep” Miller III. “Because Alexandria had the foresight to plan for this kind of dense development, we will focus on peak traffic around games and events, and we believe this study gives us a clear path forward. The Commonwealth of Virginia will continue to work with the City and its residents to create a successful multimodal plan that delivers the kind of gameday experience that guests want, and preserves the quality of life that Alexandria expects.”
