Big Changes Proposed for Washington Street & EFC Metro

The future look of the Washington Street corridor and the area around the East Falls Church Metro station were major topics at Monday night’s joint City Council and Planning Commission work session.

City staff and planners from Arlington County presented the results of studies pertaining to the area around the station and City staff discussed improvements to Washington Street covering the length of the street from I-66 to the Fairfax County line.

East Falls Church Planning & Transportation Study

This study, conducted by Falls Church, Arlington County, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority, and the Virginia Department of Transportation, evaluated the station’s site and surrounding area. 

Among the proposed improvements are an extended station platform, a west entrance off Washington Boulevard, with a turnaround which would facilitate the return of traffic to Falls Church, and a pedestrian deck over I-66.  

In general, planners hope to achieve greater pedestrian connectivity in the area and create public gathering space.  This would include linking to and re-routing the W&OD Trail.

Mixed use development is projected, with 4 to 6 story buildings recommended, though one of the many slides featured a 9 story structure. 

There are currently 422 parking spaces at East Falls Church.  Some may be lost due to the widening of I-66.  A garage likely will be necessary to alleviate the shortage.

Local officials expressed some concern about increased traffic when the Silver Line to Dulles opens.  The station probably will become a popular drop-off point for people going to the airport.  

A draft plan should be finalized in the next two or three months and be available for public comment in the fall.

North Washington Street Streetscape

The City has retained an urban design and landscape architecture firm to create a lively and walkable street level environment and to recommend techniques to filter and slow storm water runoff from adjacent properties.

The planners recommend a “green” streetscape from Broad Street to the Arlington County line, using low-impact development techniques, such as rain gardens, permeable pavements, and bio-retention cells.

The basic design would involve a strip of grass and trees between the roadway and the sidewalk, as is the case on Broad Street.  However, local officials objected to proposals that would create a more modern design, stating that the Broad Street look should be retained on North Washington, as a contemporary design would not fit with the historic character of the City.

Plans also call for improving the look of the entrance to the City through a cross-walk to the W&OD Trail and improved signage. 

Changes to the actual roadway, such as bike lanes, are difficult to make as Washington Street is also US-29, which is part of the National Highway System. 

South Washington Street Transportation Plan

Short term and long range plans were presented for this section of Washington Street, which is probably the most pedestrian-unfriendly road in the City.

Among the proposed short range improvements are pedestrian signals, a lower speed limit (25 mph), and reconfigured bus stops. 

Perhaps the most significant change would be moving the traffic light at Marshall two blocks to Greenway Boulevard and adding a median from Greenway east.  Currently the median starts after westbound traffic crosses Greenway.

A signal would be added at the intersection of Washington and Maple Avenue and pedestrian-activated signals installed further east near Tinner Hill Road and at the intersection of Hillwood Avenue.

Possible long term improvements include closing access to Maple Avenue (i.e., creating a cul-de-sac), expanding Cavalier Trail Park, a signal at the Tinner Hill intersection, and eliminating right turns on to Hillwood Avenue.

On the Web

The presentation slides are available on the City website.