Arlington County and the City of Alexandria have come together to provide commuter and public transit customers with a dedicated transitway to link both communities, bringing better transportation options to those who live along the Orange Line. Arlington County has just released its updated plan for the transitway, which is set to open this coming spring. Cost and construction challenges had to be addressed and resolved before the project could get underway. These have been taken care of through some modifications to the project, and construction has just begun.
The Arlington portion of the transitway will encompass stops or stations between Potomac Yard and Crystal City. The entire transitway is a loop beginning and ending in Crystal City. The project will provide ¾ mile of new, transit-only roadway, and another 1.5 miles of existing lanes becoming dedicated for transit vehicles. Once construction is completed, and the transitway opens, vehicle traffic will be restricted from using the lanes during peak traffic times, 6-9 a.m. and 3:30-7 p.m. seven days a week. Emergency vehicles will have access to the lanes. The goal of the transitway project is to promote public transportation and increase ridership.
There was concern about keeping the project within budget for the Arlington County portion. The construction managers presented some new options to the County Board, which will help keep the cost within budget. Station roofs will be made of a material that is more cost effective than the original plans called for, and County crews, not outside resources, will handle the manufacturing and installation of pavement markings and signs along the transitway, and at each station.
There will be several current bus stops moved temporarily to accommodate the construction, as well as road closures. Arlington County has a dedicated page where you can check the current status of the projects and how the roads may affect your drive or transit ride. Once the new transitway is completed, we will have a more efficient transit system, connecting us with Alexandria via Route 1, something both communities agree has been needed for a while. This is one great example of how our region seeks to improve our urban villages, and achieves results. When you are ready to buy, or sell your home, myself and the Orange Line Living team, are here to provide you with our unique and specialized services, so you can turn your dreams into reality. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us directly at 571-969-7653 or at [email protected]
Comments are closed.