Tysons Boulevard Lane Closes For Pedestrian, Bicyclist Use

McLean VA

15 July, 2021

2:34 PM

Description

TYSONS, VA — For a second year, Fairfax County and the county and state transportation departments are closing a lane of Tysons Boulevard near Tysons Galleria for pedestrian and bicyclist use. The closure impacts one northbound lane on a half-mile stretch of Tysons Boulevard from Westbranch Drive to the pedestrian entrance of Lillian Court. The lane closure started Wednesday, July 14, and an end date has not yet been announced. A barrier separates vehicular traffic from pedestrians and bicyclists on northbound Tysons Boulevard. The lane connects to bike lanes on Park Run Drive and Westpark Drive and is near Capital Bikeshare stations and a park at the corner of Westbranch Drive and Tysons Boulevard. Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik joined other officials for a ribbon cutting Wednesday to open the lane for community recreation. She noted Tysons Partnership will be planning activation of the space. "We know that especially this year the pandemic has shown just how much people want to be able to walk and bike safely to enjoy the outdoors...and to be able to really take advantage of the growth and beautiful buildings and parks that are opening up here in Tysons," said Palchik at the ribbon cutting. The Tysons Boulevard lane closure first happened in 2020. The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling, Tysons Partnership and others requested the closure to support community recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The same lane was closed during the summer of 2020. Sol Glasner, president and CEO of the Tysons Partnership, hopes this becomes a model and could be expanded upon. "This is the urban downtown for Fairfax County, so we are taking public infrastructure in the heart of the urban downtown, the county's urban downtown, and turning it into a space where people can walk around," said Glasner. Honored to have joined @BikeFairfax, @tysonspartners, @fairfaxcounty Transportation, & @VaDOTNOVA this morning for a ribbon cutting ceremony that re-launches the partial closure of Tysons Blvd for use by bicyclists & pedestrians. This will give access to a .5 mile stretch (cont) pic.twitter.com/UusTQqodbj— Dalia Palchik (@SupvPalchik) July 14, 2021 The closure is funded through Fairfax County and permitted by the Virginia Department of Transportation. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation and VDOT will monitor traffic conditions and reassess the closure if traffic patterns change. This data will also help inform future transportation projects. Vehicular drivers in the area are reminded to slow down when driving and watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as vehicles and people turning into businesses. Due to the closure, Fairfax Connector's Routes 494 and 495 will not serve stops #6364 and #6365 along Tysons Boulevard. Alternates include stop #6362 (Tysons Blvd./Galleria Dr.) and stop #2442 (International Dr./Greensboro Dr.). Feedback about the Tysons Boulevard closure project can be provided by email to [email protected] or by phone to FCDOT Active Transportation Team at 703-877-5600, TTY 711.