georgetown pike walkway phase iii & phase iv

Georgetown Pike WalkwayPhase III & Phase IV

Citizen Information MeetingMarch 22, 2017, 7PM to 9PM (Great Falls Library)

(Formal Presentation Starts at 7:30)

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Project Team

Mr. W. Todd Minnix, P.E., Chief, Transportation Design Division

Ms. Brook Khorashadi, P.E., Section Chief, Transportation Design Division

Mr. Bob Ayers, Project Manager, Transportation Design Division

Mr. Doug Miller, Environmental Specialist

Mr. Chris Wells, Bike/Ped Manager ___________________________________________________________

Supervisor John Foust, Dranesville District Supervisor___________________________________________________________

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Meeting Schedule

Tonight’s Agenda

• Phase III – Presentation followed by Q&A• Phase IV – Presentation followed by Q&A• Return to display boards, one-on-one

discussion, individual questions• Meeting Ends – 9:00PM

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Meeting Purpose

Tonight’s Purpose:• Provide an overview for both Phase III and Phase IV projects

• Provide the public an update on on-going activities related to both projects, current status, and next steps

• Solicit comments regarding what effect, if any, the proposed facilities may have on historic resources

Tonight we will answer questions, but please submit all comments in writing to enable them to be part of the public record.

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Overview

Existing conditions:• No continuous pedestrian facilities

• Phase I (Applewood Lane to Walker Road in Great Falls Village)

• Phase II (Falls Chase Court to Utterback Store Road)

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Overview

Proposed Improvements:• Phase III will connect existing Phase II Pedestrian Facility to Falls

Bridge Lane• Phase IV will connect Falls Bridge Lane to Seneca Road

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Phase III

Phase III - Project from Ex. Pedestrian Facility to Falls Bridge Lane

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Phase III: Background

• Federally-funded project utilizing grants that were applied for by Fairfax County on behalf of the Great Falls Trailblazers.

• Environmental documentation for the project was approved in 2010 for the overall Georgetown Pike Trail project.

• As a federally-funded project, all Fairfax County and VDOT design standards, including ADA accessibility standards, must be met

• The design for Phase III, started in 2013, and development of final design plans are pending resolution of project scope.

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Phase III: Concept Overview

Three conceptual alternatives were considered:

• Alternative #1: Shoulder Section

• Alternative #2: Crosswalk (Avoidance Alternative)

• Alternative #3: Curb & Gutter

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Phase III: Alt. #1 Shoulder Section

Alternative # 1 – Shoulder Section• Requires construction of asphalt pedestrian facility in

existing trail easement located on private property.

• Design utilizes a standard buffer and the existing ditch to separate pedestrians from traffic.

• Tree Loss = Approx. 60-70 trees. Extensive loss of mature trees nearly eliminating visual screening between adjacent property and Georgetown Pike.

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Phase III: Alt. #1 Shoulder SectionAlternative # 1 – Shoulder Section

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Phase III: Alt. #1 Shoulder SectionAlternative # 1 – Shoulder Section – Approx. Tree Loss

Approx. 60-70 Trees to be Removed – (“X” = Tree Loss)

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Phase III: Alt. #2 Avoidance

Alternative # 2 – Crosswalk (Avoidance)

• Alternative requires construction of asphalt pedestrian facilities on south side of Georgetown Pike

• Requires two unsignalized pedestrian crossings (crosswalks) across Georgetown Pike

• It is anticipated that crosswalks would not meet VDOT requirements for installation

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Phase III: Alt. #2 AvoidanceAlternative # 2 – Crosswalk (Avoidance Alternative)

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Alternative # 2 – Crosswalk (Avoidance Alternative)• Not feasible/Practical for Pedestrian Facility Users

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Alternative # 2 – Crosswalk (Avoidance Alternative)If crosswalks were installed, a similar installation could look like this:

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Phase III: Alt. #3 Curb/Gutter Section

Alternative # 3 – Curb & Gutter Section • Curb & Gutter Section is least intrusive to property and

trees

• Facility will be 6’ wide asphalt

• Constructed within VDOT R/W

• Tree loss is minimized (approx.10-12 Trees) The County is soliciting public comments regarding potential

effects the design may have on historic resources.

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Phase III: Alt. #3 Curb/Gutter SectionAlternative # 3 – Curb & Gutter Section

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Phase III: Alt. #3 Curb/Gutter SectionAlternative # 3 – Curb/Gutter Section – Approx. Tree Loss

Approx. 10-12 Trees to be Removed – (“X” = Tree Loss)

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Phase III: Historic Resources

Historic Resource Concerns

• Although all alternatives are still under consideration, Fairfax County DOT supports Alternative #3 (Curb & Gutter Section) for Phase III in order to avoid impacting private property and to avoid significant tree loss

• Georgetown Pike (GTP) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

• Concerns have been expressed that the installation of curb & gutter will negatively affect the historic integrity of Georgetown Pike

Phase II

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Phase III: Context of Project

Context of Project

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• Due to federal funds on Phase III, an “Effect Determination” from Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) is requiredoNo effect – No historic resources present

oNo adverse effect – Project impacts to historic properties do not rise to the level of an adverse effect

oAdverse effect – An adverse effect is found when an undertaking may alter, directly or indirectly, any of the characteristics of a historic property that qualify the property for inclusion in the National Register in a manner that would diminish "any of the property's aspects of integrity“

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• FCDOT believes that alternative #3 is the best option

BUT…• Tonight we are seeking your input

• Public involvement is a strong component of the decision making process

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Steps involved in assessing impacts• Are historic properties present?

• What makes GTP historic?oVery early engineered road – retains much of original design integrityo Important early transportation corridor – early toll road & farm to

market road linking west to the new Federal CityoListed on National Register of Historic Places

• Could project potentially affect resource?

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Completed steps

• Historic properties in vicinity of project have been identified

• Consulting parties have been identified

• Public Information Meeting being held tonight

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Next Steps• Tonight – We are soliciting the community’s written feedback on this

issue by April 14, 2017. If desired, please submit a comment for the record by using the comment sheet provided, email, or online form.

• VDHR is gatekeeper of historic resources in Virginia

• Based in part on public input, VDHR will assess impacts of project on NRHP listed Georgetown Pike and make an effect determination

• This issue needs to be resolved before final design on Phase III can begin

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Phase III: Question/Answers

Questions about Phase III?

Reminder: Please submit all comments in writing by April 14 in order for

them to be considered as part of the public record.

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Phase IV

Phase IV - Project from Falls Bridge Lane to Seneca Road

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Phase IV: Background

• Locally Funded project

• Public pedestrian facility will meet all VDOT & County standards for maintenance and for ADA accessibility compliance.

• Facility will be maintained by Fairfax County

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Phase IV: Concept

Concept Features:

• 6’ wide asphalt facility with standard buffer and existing ditch

• This pedestrian facility will link Phases II and III to Seneca Square and the existing asphalt trails along Leesburg Pike

• Intent is to minimize right-of-way impacts and tree loss

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Phase IV: Concept (1 of 3)

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Phase IV: Question/Answers

Questions about Phase IV?

Reminder: Please submit all comments in writing by April 14 in order for

them to be considered as part of the public record.

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Citizen InputWays to Comment

• Fill out & submit a comment sheet tonight (Comment Box Provided)

• Comment section on project website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/pedestrian/georgetownpiketrail.htm

• Email Douglas Miller: [email protected]

• Fill out and mail a comment sheet:Douglas MillerFairfax County Dept. of Transportation4050 Legato Road, Suite 400Fairfax, VA 22033

Submit written comments by April 14, 2017

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/pedestrian/georgetownpiketrail.htm



mailto:[email protected]

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Georgetown Pike WalkwayPhase III and Phase IV

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georgetown pike walkway phase iii & phase iv

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