Columbia Pike Utility Undergrounding & Streetscape Improvements: County Line to Four Mile Run
Location
Columbia Pike from the Arlington/Fairfax County line to Four Mile Run (aka, the west end)
Status
Construction
Fort Myer Construction, the County’s contractor for this project, received its Notice to Proceed on Feb. 20, 2018. Crews began 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, until early 2021.
Night work
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.).
What to expect during this project
- Work hours have been extended during weekdays until 9 pm, and additional work is expected on Saturdays and Sundays.
- There will be traffic disruptions and lane closures throughout the duration of this project.
- Around the work zone on Columbia Pike, at least one lane in each direction will remain open at all times.
- Left turn restrictions may be required - Do not drive through a work zone.
- Equipment and materials will be staged at several locations along Columbia Pike. Access to adjacent properties will remain open, but there may be turn restrictions into and out of the properties.
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.
Streetscape improvements will include the following enhancements and amenities:
- Wider sidewalks
- New street lights
- Upgraded traffic signals
- Street trees
The project also includes a work of public art for Arlington’s western gateway, near Columbia Pike and South Jefferson Street.
Public Process
January 2020 construction open house
This open house provided information on two Columbia Pike projects that have entered new phases of construction: Multimodal and Transit Stations.
December 2019: Staff provided a project update to the County Board - view the presentation
Staff have also provided project updates to community organizations:
- March and May 2018 - Presentation to the Columbia Forest Civic Association and Arlington Mill Civic Association
- June 2017 - Presentation to Pike Presidents Group
- May 2017 - Presentation to Arlington Mill Civic Association