Major Traffic Disruption Comes To Columbia Pike's West End

ARLINGTON, VA -- Holiday travelers returning to their West End homes in late December encountered an unwelcome surprise — construction work and detours as part of the Columbia Pike utility underground streetscape improvement project.

"All of a sudden they realized they couldn't get into their development without going into Fairfax County and going through back roads," said Kim Klinger, executive director of the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization, a coalition of business owners, civic associations and property owners advocating for the corridor. "So it was a surprise and no one likes those types of surprises now do they?"

Klinger criticized the county for not giving area residents enough fair warning about the project's Dec. 27 start date.

"We knew that multimodal work and transfer work was going to happen on the Pike in order to bring the premium transit network," Klinger said. "No one fully understood the impact and the recent duct work that needed to happen here on the West End."

Ramzi Awwad, engineering bureau chief for the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services, hosted a press briefing about the project on Friday morning, Jan. 3 near the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Dinwiddie Street.

"We apologize that we didn't do a better job of notifying locals in the area of these coming changes," he said. "And we are redoubling our efforts and recommitting to advanced notifications to locals of any future changes we do."

Awwad acknowledged that year-long project is a "major disruption" for neighboring residents and the traveling public. "We encourage through commuters to use alternate routes and avoid the project area," he said.

The project will impact traffic flow on the Pike in both directions between S. Jefferson Street and the Four Mile Run bridge for most of 2020. Only one lane of traffic on Columbia Pike will be open in both directions, including weekends.

During morning rush hours (7 a.m.-9:30 a.m.), an additional lane will be open to traffic heading eastbound. "No Left Turn" signs have been added between S. Greenbriar Street and S. Dinwiddie Street to keep traffic and pedestrians moving safely while the project is underway. Detour signs will be posted, but locals are also encouraged to visit the project website to find additional detours.

"The reason for this new traffic pattern is because the project will be undergrounding overhead utility lines, so spaces are needed in the roadway for these new utility lines," Awwad said. "Additionally, spaces are needed for the workers and the equipment to be able to safely maneuver within the work zone and we also need to provide a safe area for drivers and pedestrians to negotiate through the project site in peace. This new traffic pattern will be in place for one year."

The project will also install new bus stops and wider sidewalks to improve pedestrian traffic. Similar improvements, including undergrounding utilities, have already been completed on other sections of Columbia Pike.

Difficulty navigating the area won't be the only impact West End residents will experience, though. Construction will take place six days a week and on occasional Sundays, Awwad said. Crews will be working Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

"This is the fastest and safest way to accomplish this work," he said. "We realize that this will be a major disruption to the traveling public and we thank everyone in advance for their cooperation and for their patience."

Despite criticizing the lack of communication over the project's start date, Klinger expressed optimism about the overall project. "I like the end goal," she said. "The end goal is to have a premium transit network on Columbia Pike, which connects us with National Landing and Amazon."

New traffic patterns now along the west end of Columbia Pike. Will cause some delays. These changes will be in place through much of 2020. Drivers encouraged to use alternate routes. Learn more: https://t.co/jhjTuSr7oE pic.twitter.com/ZvGlWv0lOv
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) December 30, 2019