Tuesday, November 21, 2017

U.S. 1 Widening Comment Deadline 12/5!

One of my top priorities since I was first elected in 2009 has been the improvement of U.S. 1.

In 2011, former Senator Toddy Puller and I passed legislation authorizing the Route 1 Multimodal Alternative Analysis Study.  VDOT is proposing its first widening which extends from Woodlawn to Costco pursuant to this study and is accepting public comments on their design.

This project will widen U.S. 1 to six lanes, provide a bike and pedestrian trail on both sides of the road, and maintain a median necessary for future Bus Rapid Transit.
Possible configurations for the intersection of U.S. 1 and
Buckman Road/Old Mt. Vernon Hwy
VDOT is also considering several improvements that require community input such as whether to create "superstreets" that allow fewer left turns and provide better traffic flow (see below), whether to underground telephone, electricity, and cable lines, and whether to mitigate litter and storm water runoff from the road.

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THIS PROJECT BY USING THIS LINK.

All submitted comments will be forwarded to VDOT.
The U.S. 1 Multimodal Alternatives Analysis Study found that this segment should be served by bus rapid transit to encourage development to support a Metro extension. The bus rapid transit system will provide curb-separated lanes for buses which will run ever 6-10 minutes and carry passengers to and from residential and mixed use areas along U.S. 1 to the Huntington Metro.  

Developing the U.S. 1 Corridor is important for improving our economy, our environment, and our quality of life. Mixed use development and transit access drive the economy in Northern Virginia. New commercial developments are almost exclusively being built around the new Silver line in Tyson’s and Reston. When new development comes in, the builder is required to upgrade stormwater facilities and other environmental features. These are important improvements for our community.
Undergrounding utilities like these electricity lines will cost
taxpayers about $45 million and dramatically improve
the look and feel of our community.
Please make your voice heard and comment on the U.S. 1 widening project before December 5.
It is an honor to serve you in the State Senate.

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