Challenge
In Arlington County, VA, East Falls Church is the county’s only suburban-style Metro station, which includes an off-street bus transfer facility and a park-and-ride lot. The area experiences a high volume of pedestrian and bicycle activity through and along busy roadways. The challenge was to develop a complete street improvement project along a 0.5-mile section of North Sycamore Street between Lee Highway and 19th Street North within existing right-of-way.
Solution
Kittelson prepared multimodal analysis, 30% design plans of corridor improvements, and traffic signal modifications, and designed a protected intersection at the North Sycamore Street/Washington Boulevard intersection. We also worked with Arlington County to offer short- and long-term options for bus access and operations at the Metro station. At the I-66 interchange on- and off-ramps, Kittelson proposed geometric design and signalization strategies to further protect pedestrians and bicyclists.
The Outcome
Improving Biking and Walking Experience in Tight Space
Arlington County received a preliminary design plan vetted through detailed multimodal analysis to improve non-motorized safety and mobility through this critical corridor that also serves the East Falls Church Metrorail Station. This project represents one of the first attempts in Virginia to implement signal-controlled protected bike lanes. This design provides a low stress, safe, and convenient experience for pedestrians and bicyclists through the corridor, and the concept of a self-enforcing roadway guided the selection of treatments to better protect pedestrians and bicyclists.
