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

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Construction Update – Jan. 22, 2021

The contractor continues with signal work at the South Columbus Street intersection and installation of landscaping, pavement markings and signage.

During February, the focus will shift to the utility companies – Comcast, Dominion and Verizon – as they start to run cables through the new underground duct bank. Completion of this work, expected later this year, will allow the overhead wires and utility poles to be removed.

Upcoming work and expected impacts

The Two-Week Construction Update describes construction activities planned for Monday, Jan. 25 through Sunday, Feb. 7 and their expected impacts.

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.

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.

Speed limit reduced

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.

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 had entered new phases of construction: Multimodal and Transit Stations.

View the open house display boards - in English or Spanish
Summary of feedback we heard and County responses/actions

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