Fairfax County Parkway Trail at Dulles Toll Road EB Ramp Improvement Study

1. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Department of Transportation
Fairfax County Parkway Trail @
Dulles Toll Road EB Ramp
Improvement Study
Adam Lind
Bicycle Program Coordinator
September 14, 2017

2. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Department of Transportation
2
Discussion
• Background
• Purpose and Need
• Study
– Option I: Improved At-Grade Crossing
– Option II: Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge
• Next Steps
• Q & A

3. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Department of Transportation
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Background
• Project Location: Crossing
of the trail and eastbound on
ramp to the Dulles Toll Road
• Trail crosses two lane, high-
speed and high-volume
ramps
• Multiple issues with existing
design
– Volume, speed, sight distance

4. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Department of Transportation
4
Background
50’ from one
side of the trail
to the other

5. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Department of Transportation
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Background
• In addition to volume and speeds of vehicles, sight
distance is a major concern from both directions
Northbound trail direction Southbound trail direction

6. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Department of Transportation
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Background
• In 2014 Board of Supervisors allocated $21.55 million
to Reston Metrorail Access Group (RMAG) II group of
projects
• FCDOT recommended funding $10.9 million for
specific projects on December 8, 2016
• $10.65 million remaining for future projects to be
identified
• Similar project underway at Fairfax County Parkway
Trail and Sunset Hills Road intersection
– At grade solution with similar design
– Grade separated option did not seem feasible, so no study
needed

7. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Department of Transportation
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Purpose and Need
• County and VDOT received many
comments from residents over the
years, and updates to signage and
markings made, but limited
effectiveness
• The RMAG Study recommended
improving all Fairfax County
Parkway Trail ramp crossings

8. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Department of Transportation
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Purpose and Need
• This project is being undertaken to improve safety at a
critical junction along a major transportation trail that
connects residents to jobs, schools, parks,
destinations, and regional transportation
• The study will recommend an alternative to improve
the crossing and then be carried through design and
construction, with the goal of being completed around
the time of Silver Line Phase II opening

9. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Department of Transportation
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Study
• Study directive was to look at
two options for improving the
ramp crossing
– Option I: At Grade solution
– Option II: Grade Separated solution
• Original grade separation
solution evaluated was to
construct a tunnel under the
ramp since trail is already well
below ramp

10. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Department of Transportation
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Study
• Tunnel option eliminated
after survey revealed
multiple, major utility
conflicts
– Gas line, water line,
Stormwater detention, etc.
• Evaluated bike &
pedestrian bridge
alternative instead of a
tunnel

11. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Department of Transportation
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Study – Option 1
• At grade solution goals:
– Improve sight distance
– Reduce crossing distance
– Improve motorist
awareness of people
crossing
• One crossing currently
proposed for Rectangular
Rapid Flashing Beacon
• Other crossing signalized
with walk/don’t walk
• $633,000 estimate
RRFB
Walk Signal
*will be walk when
signal is greenRaised Median

12. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Department of Transportation
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Study – Option 2
• Bike/Pedestrian Bridge
solution goals:
– Eliminate potential
conflicts with motor
vehicles
• Bridge structure is over
700’ long, with 4.5%
slope on northbound
approach
• Approximately $6.9 million

13. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Study - Comparison
Construct
ability
Direct
Route
Separation
of
movements
from
vehicles
Improves
safety of
crossing
General
Bike and
Walk
Quality
Cost Total
Score
At
Grade
Option
3 2 2 2 2 3 14
Bike/
walk
Bridge
1 1 3 3 2 1 11
Department of Transportation
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3 – Best 2 - Good 1 - Fair
Scoring System

14. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Study - Results
Department of Transportation
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• Based on evaluation, FCDOT recommends
Option 1, at-grade solution
• Option 1 preserves RMAG funding that can go to
other needed bicycle/pedestrian improvements
• Ongoing study of Fairfax County Parkway may
recommend future improvements

15. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Next Steps
Department of Transportation
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• Gather community feedback on the two
options, comment period open until
September 29th
• Discuss ways to continue to improve design
of preferred option
– Possible full signalization of at grade crossing -
provide stop condition for cars heading towards
Rte. 267 when people crossing.

16. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Next Steps
Department of Transportation
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• Complete study and continue design of
project
– Construction planned for completion prior to
Silver Line Phase II service
• Comments can be sent to
DOTBicyclePrograms@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Project webpage
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/bike/pkwytrail-
dullestollrd.htm

17. County of Fairfax, Virginia
Questions?
Thank you
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/bike/
Department of Transportation
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