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, 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.
Night and weekend 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.).
The contractor has the option of Saturday work for the duration of the project. Saturday work hours are 10 am to 6 pm.
What to expect during this project
- 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
Staff provided the following project update to the Columbia Forest Civic Association in March 2018 and the Arlington Mill Civic Association in May 2018:
In May and June 2017, staff from the project team and public art gave project updates to community stakeholders:
- Presentation to Arlington Mill Civic Association
- Presentation to Pike Presidents Group