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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: Steering the County's current study to produce designs for a rebuilt George Mason Drive that 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.
Detailed Status: Actively engaged as a stakeholder in the County's South George Mason Drive Multimodal Transportation Study.
Campaign Timeline
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).
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.
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.
Study Kick-off Virtual Meeting
We attended & live-tweeted the virtual kick-off meeting for those who may have missed it.
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.