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

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Upcoming nighttime paving on Columbia Pike and Dinwiddie and Columbus Streets

The contractor is scheduled to perform final paving during the following nights (weather permitting):

For paving of the eastbound inside lane on Columbia Pike – Thursday, Oct. 22 from 8 pm to 6 am Friday morning

For paving on Columbia Pike between the South Dinwiddie/Columbus Street intersection and the Four Mile Run Bridge, and on sections of South Dinwiddie Street and South Columbus Street immediately north and south of Columbia Pike

Friday, Oct. 23 from 8 pm to 6 am Saturday morning
Sunday, Oct. 25 from 8 pm to 6 am Monday morning
Monday, Oct. 26 from 8 pm to 6 am Tuesday morning

Those living near the Dinwiddie/Columbus Street intersection will experience noise from construction vehicles and equipment. Drivers should expect minor delays but all turn movements at the intersection will remain open.

Paving operations on Columbia Pike continue week of Oct. 19

Final paving is scheduled to start on Monday, Oct. 19, with installation of pavement markings occurring during the week of Oct. 26. This schedule is weather permitting. Most of the operation is done during the daytime, but there will be some nighttime work.

What to expect during this work:

Daytime work hours are 7 am to 9 pm.
This is a moving operation as the equipment slowly rolls along the lane.
There will be short-term turn restrictions, up to 20 minutes, at driveways adjacent to Columbia Pike and at intersections while the milling or paving equipment passes by.
Expect additional traffic congestion and delays, including for bus service.

Transit stations construction

Construction to build three transit station foundations – at eastbound Greenbrier Street, eastbound Columbus Street, and westbound Dinwiddie Street – has been rescheduled to start Monday, Oct. 26.

Sidewalk closures will be needed for this work, affecting either the north or south side of Columbia Pike between South Frederick Street and South Dinwiddie/Columbus Street. The closures are tentatively scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26 through Monday, Nov. 2.

Construction Updates

Upcoming work and expected impacts

The Two-Week Construction Update describes construction activities planned for Monday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Nov. 1 and their expected impacts.

Items to note:

The sidewalk on the south side of Columbia Pike between South Columbus Street and Four Mile Run will be closed.

Relocated bus stops

Bus stops will be temporarily moved during construction for this project and the Transit Stations project – see a list of temporary bus stops

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. Total project construction, including utility undergrounding and street improvements, is expected to last approximately three years, until early 2021.

The speed limit in the work zone has been reduced to 25 mph. This change will be in place through the remainder of project construction.

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

This open house provided information on two Columbia Pike projects that had entered new phases of construction: Multimodal and Transit Stations.

December 2019: Staff provided a project update to the County Board - View the presentation