Update Nov. 23, 2018: Due to very high participation, Fairfax County officials have extended the end date for a survey about potential changes to the Fairfax County Parkway. The new deadline to participate is Nov. 30, 2018.
To participate, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/study/fairfax-county-parkway.
The Fairfax County Parkway and Franconia-Springfield Parkways will be getting some upgrades, and local commuters have a chance to weigh in.
The Virginia Dept. of Transportation and the Fairfax County Dept. of Transportation are asking for public input on what the improvements to these two major thoroughfares will be, as part of an ongoing community input process.
An online survey about commuting along the Fairfax County Parkway and the Franconia-Springfield Parkway is open now through Nov. 17 at fcpfspstudy.metroquest.com.
Among the questions: Whether the Fairfax County Parkway should add high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) or toll lanes: HOV lanes would require a “minimum of 3 people per vehicle to use travel lane (1 HOV lane/direction)” or Express/Toll Lanes would require that “users pay toll (similar to I-495)/1 toll lane/direction (HOV-3: No charge).”
The survey also asks about pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, and about widening the road or adjusting interchanges. It survey additionally asks about environmental enhancements or preservations that commuters see as a priority on various sections of both the Fairfax County and Franconia-Springfield Parkways.
The survey is part of the Long-Range Planning Study, which looks at long-term recommendations for the future. A short-term study was completed in 2017.
For this long-term study, according to the study website, "Intensive analysis using the County’s Traffic Forecasting Model will be used to determine future network deficiencies. Alternatives to remedy those deficiencies will be developed, and public input will be sought on those alternatives. Final recommendations will be considered for incorporation into the county’s Transportation Plan. Some questions that are to be addressed in this study are:
- The degree to which existing intersections should be considered for conversion to interchanges or under/ overpasses
- How transit should be integrated into the corridor
- Whether tolling and or HOV lanes on the Parkways should be planned.
- Bicycle/ pedestrian mobility
Further input and direction from the public will help develop these preliminary alternatives and lead to an FCDOT / VDOT final recommendation in identifying a preferred alternative concept plan."
In addition to the survey, drivers can send comments to FCDOT by using the project webpage or by calling 703-877-5600.
