Welcome!

There are three parts to this public engagement opportunity for the Long Bridge Drive Multimodal Connection project:

  1. Project Background and Goals
    • Why this project? Why now? We answer these questions below.
  2. Concept Design
    • See the proposed concept design and its features.
  3. Your Feedback on the Concept Design
    • On this page, we have questions for you about your thoughts on the proposed concept design.
  4. Interactive Concept Map
    • Here, you can add your own input, questions or comments on specific parts of the proposed concept design.

This engagement opportunity is open through Sunday September 29, 2024. Your feedback will help finalize the plan, along with other available information, such as plan guidance and crash data.

Want to learn more? There will be a public meeting on Thursday, September 26, where you can come to learn about the project, ask questions, and share their feedback on the preliminary concept design for this corridor. Thank you for helping improve our projects to better meet your needs!

Questions? Comments? Email Nate Graham, Public Engagement Specialist for Transportation Projects at nsgraham@arlingtonva.us.

Project Background

This project originated during a review of multimodal projects in Crystal City, where it was determined that a new connection will be needed to better link the regional trail network with the busy urban neighborhoods of Crystal City and Pentagon City. Without this connection, people commuting by bike would most likely attempt to navigate the Long Bridge Park esplanade and walking trail, which is not intended for use as a

Existing Conditions

  • Two general travel lanes, one in each direction
  • Center median with trees
  • On-street painted bike lanes
  • Parking on both sides of the street
  • Sidewalks on both sides of the street
  • Corridor constrained by I-395 retaining walls
  • Mix of highway access traffic and local  recreation travel

Project Goals 

  • Provide an off-street connection to the Mount Vernon Trail and future Long Bridge project with Crystal City and Pentagon City's bike network.
  • Increase multimodal travel options for residents to access Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center and Long Bridge Park
  • ​Reduce pedestrian crossing distances throughout the corridor
  • Maintain green space and trees throughout the corridor

Project Basis

 

This project is included for funding in the adopted 2023-2032 Capital Improvement Program, following the development of the Crystal City Bike Network.

Planning guidance for this project comes from the following County Board-adopted plans and policies:

Master Transportation Plan

  • Streets Element: the County's Complete Street Policy (Streets Element Policy #4.2) informs the scope of this project to improve safety for all road users, including people walking, biking, taking transit and driving
  • Bicycle Element: This segment of Long Bridge Drive is included in the Bicycle and Trail network as a primary bicycling corridor with an existing bikeway (striped bike lanes)

Vision Zero Action Plan

  • The 2021 Vision Zero Action Plan calls on County Transportation staff to take a proactive approach to safety, to eliminate severe and fatal crashes from our transportation network by 2030
  • Separating vulnerable road users (people walking and biking) from motor vehicle traffic is a core, effective tool for eliminating severe and fatal crashes before they occur.
  • Providing a multi-use trail that fully separates people walking and biking is an essential safety tool for a corridor that provides motor vehicle access to a major interstate, especially when we anticipate a significant increase in bicycle and pedestrian traffic along the corridor in the coming years.

Public Spaces Master Plan

  • Strategic Direction #2 of the Public Spaces Master Plan calls for the County to "[i]mprove the network of trails to, between and within public spaces to increase access and enhance connectivity"
  • Priority Action 9.2.1.5 further specifies that the County should "[c]reate safe routes to parks and other public spaces by filling gaps in sidewalks and trails that connect public spaces to neighborhoods, schools, transit stations and other County facilities"

Additionally, the corridor serves the Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center and Long Bridge Park and provides a direct link between high-density residential and commercial neighborhoods with public space, facilities, and multi-use trails for transportation, recreation and activity.

More information is available on the project page.