A Safe and Sustainable George Mason Drive

Active

Right now, George Mason Drive really only works for cars. It is difficult to cross, traffic goes fast, sidewalks are narrow, and facilities for bikes & scooters are few, disconnected, and unprotected. Due to topography, Four Mile Run, and the W&OD Trail right-of-way, there are few good North-South connectors in this area of South Arlington. George Mason Drive is a critical link for people trying to walk & bike to Wakefield High School, Randolph Elementary School, Barcroft Park, Alcova Heights Park, the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, and more.

We seek a rebuilt George Mason Drive that will allow safe, comfortable travel along its full length for those walking, biking, or riding transit as well as safe, frequent crossings to ensure it is not a neighborhood barrier.  We imagine a George Mason Drive that includes safe, comfortably wide sidewalks, low-stress bike facilities, calm traffic traveling at safe speeds, and frequent safe crossings to encourage neighborhood cohesion & permeability.

Ultimate Goal: A rebuilt George Mason Drive that allows safe, comfortable travel along its full length for those walking, biking or riding transit as well as safe, frequent crossings to ensure it is not a neighborhood barrier.

Current Goal: Full funding for all phases of South George Mason Drive.

Detailed Status: Continuing to push the County to apply for grant funding for future phases of South George Mason Drive.

Campaign Timeline

4/23/2019
Arlington's new Bike Plan places emphasis on George Mason Drive

Arlington's updated Bike Plan designates George Mason Drive as a "Primary Bicycling Corridor" which are "are the most important routes for bicycle travel and should have the highest priority for bicycle facility improvement". The plan also includes a recommendation for an "enhanced bicycle facility along the entirety of South George Mason Drive" (project #3-01).

6/11/2021
Build Back Better CIP Campaign

Wakefield Connector project (protected bike lanes on George Mason Drive connecting Wakefield High School to the W&OD Trail, 12th St Bike Boulevard, and the Arlington Boulevard Trail) included in SusMo's inaugural Build Back Better Capital Improvement Program Campaign under the "A Safe Route to Every School" priority header.

3/28/2022
County kicks off South George Mason Drive Multimodal Transportation Study

See the study web page for more details.  This study will result in concept designs from Arlington Boulevard to the Fairfax County line, but will specifically bring a plan to the 15% design level for the area between Columbia Pike and the county line so that it can be submitted for grant funding.

4/6/2022
Study Kick-off Virtual Meeting

We attended & live-tweeted the virtual kick-off meeting for those who may have missed it.

4/22/2022
Action Alert: Does George Mason Drive Work for You Today?

SusMo launches our Does George Mason Drive Work for You Today? Action Alert to drive responses to the County's existing conditions feedback form.

5/23/2023
Final Study Document released recommending a shared use path

On May 25th, 2023, Arlington County released the final George Mason Drive study report recommending a shared use path on the east side of the entirety of South George Mason Drive (Arlington Boulevard south to the County Line)

3/24/2024
SusMo writes letter of support for Congressional Earmark funding

In March of 2024, SusMo submitted a letter of support for Congressional Earmark funding for South George Mason Drive implementation.

5/15/2024
Arlington receives $80,000 to further study Four Mile Run Dr Intersection

On May 15, 2024 Arlington received an $80,000 grant from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Regional Street Safety program to further study possible designs for the George Mason Drive / Four Mile Run Drive intersection, including the possibility of a peanut-shaped roundabout.

5/18/2024
Arlington Applies for ATIIP Grant Funding

On May 18th, 2024 the Arlington County Board approved an application for grant funding for the ATIIP program.  They applied for $2 million in design funding for phases 2 & 3 (Columbia Pike to Four Mile Run & Four Mile Run to the County Line).