Columbia Pike Utility Undergrounding & Streetscape Improvements: County Line to Four Mile Run

Construction Update – May 4, 2018

Sidewalk closure at 5300 Columbia Pike

The sidewalk on the south side of Columbia Pike between the Arlington Auto Services gas station and 5300 Columbia Pike (The Carlyle) will be closed within the next two weeks for utility construction. A temporary asphalt sidewalk has been installed that will be open outside working hours until the closure.

Once the sidewalk is closed, it will not be possible to re-open this sidewalk for approximately one month due to safety concerns posed by large manhole and conduit installations. Pedestrians should follow signage and use the north side sidewalk, crossing Columbia Pike at designated crosswalk locations.

Bus stop closure near Greenbrier Street

Fort Myer received a permit to use the pull-off area in front of 5353 Columbia Pike (The Palazzo) to stage equipment and materials. As a result, the ART/WMATA bus stop at this location will be closed in the coming weeks. Signs will be posted at the stop to alert bus riders of this upcoming closure.

Location

Columbia Pike from the Arlington/Fairfax County line to Four Mile Run (aka, the west end)

Status

Construction

Fort Myer, the County’s contractor for this project, received its Notice to Proceed on Feb. 20, 2018. Crews are beginning construction on the undergrounding phase first, moving in a west (South Jefferson Street) to east (Four Mile Run Bridge) direction.

Total project construction, including utility undergrounding and street improvements, is expected to last approximately three years.

Fort Myer will continue performing intermittent night work along Columbia Pike, as needed, when work is being performed at intersections. Nighttime work hours will be 9 pm to 7 am, Monday through Friday. Noise impacts will include back-up alerts from construction vehicles and noise from heavy vehicles and equipment (i.e. loaders, excavators, compressors, dump trucks, etc.).

Weekend work on Saturdays continues for the duration of the project until further notice. Saturday work hours are 10 am to 6 pm.

About the Project

This work is part of the Columbia Pike multimodal project that will make Columbia Pike a safer, more accessible route for all users. Arlington is transforming this main thoroughfare into a complete street that balances all modes of travel and supports high-quality, high-frequency transit service.

In addition to visible improvements to the road, extensive work will occur below the roadway – to replace aging and leak-prone water and sewer pipes and to bury existing overhead utilities underground.

Public Process

In May and June 2017, staff from the project team and public art gave project updates to community stakeholders: