A People-Focused Route 1: Final Phase 2 Report
Level of Effort: 5 minutes, at home, in your PJs
Deadline: Tue 2/18 11:59pm

The Route 1 Multimodal Improvement Study, which recommends bringing Route 1 down to grade at 15th and 23rd Street, creating an urban boulevard rather than an elevated barrier between Crystal City and Pentagon City, is finally wrapping up the study phase.  The final phase 2 report is out and while the project is great and will have a number of benefits (slower speeds, wide sidewalks, protected bike lanes, no-turn-on-red restrictions, more street trees and landscaping, etc), there are still a few changes that need to be made to make it the best possible outcome.

Suggested Feedback

What comments do you have on the proposed concept designs that have been refined by the Route 1 Multimodal Improvements study team based on analyses and public input to date?

The proposed double left-turn lane from eastbound 15th Street onto Northbound Route 1 is incompatible with a pedestrian-friendly street.  It introduces "multiple threat" crash risk to an area we are trying to make safer and more comfortable for pedestrians.

I am excited to see the protected bike lanes (labeled "roll zone" in the project) but I have concerns about whether the design will be effective in separating people walking and rolling.  Similar facilities, such as the one on Maine Avenue near the Wharf in DC, see frequent user conflict with pedestrians utilizing the bike facility.  I urge the project team to be intentional and clear about this demarcation. The two zones should be different materials or finishes, and a grade change or physical barrier such as a planting strip is needed between them, at least in areas where users may first encounter this facility, such as in the vicinity of intersections. A simple paint stripe is wholly insufficient.

I am disappointed by VDOT's continued inclusion of 11' wide travel lanes. Ample evidence has shown that 10' lanes improve safety by slowing vehicle speeds and are not impediments to commercial traffic. Indeed, the DC region has numerous examples of major roadways operating safely with 10' lanes, including Connecticut Avenue (MD-185) in Chevy Chase, MD. Additionally, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) supports 10' lane widths in their Urban Street Design Guide, stating "Lane widths of 10 feet are appropriate in urban areas and have a positive impact on a street's safety without impacting traffic operations. For designated truck or transit routes, one travel lane of 11 feet may be used in each direction." I encourage VDOT to reconsider its position on this important issue and honor Arlington's local design standards.

Do you have any other comments or questions?

It is important that this project continue to move forward, with VDOT seeking final funding and finishing out the design.

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